Aptos Times: December 15, 2020

Family Owned For Over 29 Years • Aptos, La Selva Beach, Corralitos, Freedom & Watsonville

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December 15, 2020 • Vol 29 No. 24

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Holiday Lights: Making Spirits Bright

The Agricultural History Project and the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds Foundation have joined to present the first Holiday Lights Adventure at the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds.

Full Story page 15

County: 64 COVID Deaths, Stay-At-Home Ordered Full Story page 9

Lifesavers Honored by Red Cross Danny Lucas Survived Hunting Accident, Thanks to Sons and Father-in-law

For heroic actions that resulted in a life saved a year ago, three local men were honored with American Red Cross commendations in a Dec. 1 virtual ceremony hosted by the organization’s Central Coast Chapter.

Danny Lucas Jr. of Watsonville, Chad Lucas of

Watsonville, and Raymond Harris of Aptos received awards for the “extraordinary action” each took to save the life of longtime Watsonville Fire Department Capt.

Danny Lucas following a hunting accident in the snowcovered hills of Montana. ... continues on page 4

Remembering Ziva

Everyone knew and loved Ziva, our tiny magical rainbow mermaid unicorn girl.

She was kind and always thought of others and that is the legacy she left behind — be kind and think of others.

Full Story page 11

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No. 24

Volume 29

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Table of Contents

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Cover

Lifesavers Honored by Red Cross: Danny Lucas Survived Hunting Accident, Thanks to Sons and Father-in-law

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11 12 13 14 15 16 20 21 25 29

Shop safe this season and reserve your holiday entrees online. Choose tender, juicy cuts of California-raised, grass-fed beef from SunFed Ranch, and find the perfect bottle to serve with it in our wine pairing guide!

Community News Santa Drops In Amanda Ray First Woman to Head CHP Anti-Racist Work Underway at Mount Madonna, By Shannon Kelly Helping Students Who Need Clean Water, By Jaylen Deng • Santa Cruz Parking for Hope • Aptos Man, 88, Walking to His Mailbox, Hit by Car COVID-19 Vaccine Arrives at Santa Cruz County Hospitals County Reports 64 COVID Deaths; Stay-At-Home Order Begins Friday,

By Jondi Gumz Oral Health Heroes Nominations Sought • Agri-Culture Scholarship Deadline Jan. 29 • Dec. 28 Deadline for 2020 Art Contest • Artistic Local Gifts At Your Fingertips • Comments Due Dec. 30 on State Aviation Plan • Red Cross Blood Donations Remembering Ziva: Be Kind & Thoughtful, By Risa Schwartz Talks Ongoing For $908B COVID Aid Package Growers, Employees Share ‘Farmer of the Year’ Honors Man Arrested in 1995 Homicide Holiday Lights: Making Spirits Bright Singer Ron Kaplan’s New Book of Old Love Songs Achieving a Dream: Daniel’s Story Santa Cruz SPCA Opens New Shelter: Firsts to be Shared on Social Channels; Grand Opening Expected in 2021 • Agape Dance Academy’s Nutcracker Ballet at Boardwalk Drive-In SCCB Announces New President/CEO • Jan. 3 Deadline to Apply for Measure D Oversight Committee Year-Round Farmers’ Markets Offer Plenty, By Nicole Zahm

Business Profile 18 Rio Del Mar Dental: New Technology To Serve You, By Rosie Alexander 22 Curves Aptos: Workouts to Stay Healthy Despite Everything, By Rosie Alexander

celebrate new traditions

Monthly Horoscope • Page 26 – The New Bethlehem Star — Jupiter/ Saturn in Aquarius, By Risa D’Angeles Community Calendar • Arts & Entertainment – Page 28

Featured Columnists Distance Learning: A Successful Tribe, Poem By Susan Penprase A Familiar Location, Pictures From the Past – Photo Essay by Carolyn Swift Customers Shop Local — But …, By Ron Kustek How To Fix Any Customer Service Problem, By Christopher Elliott $107 Million Awarded for Highway 1 and Soquel Drive, By Zach Friend, Second District Supervisor 31 Cut Christmas Trees Are Sustainable, By Tony Tomeo

Visit newleaf.com/holiday to plan your menu and learn about our safe shopping options.

Nourishing the Central Coast since 1985

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SCCAS Featured Pet • Page 31 – Ole Saint Nick!

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Half Moon Bay • Downtown Santa Cruz Westside Santa Cruz • Capitola • Aptos

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COMMUNITY NEWS

Patrice Edwards Jondi Gumz

publisher editor

contributing writers Camisa Composti, Shannon Kelly, Jaylen Deng, Jondi Gumz, Risa Schwartz, Nicole Zahm, Rosie Alexander, Risa D’Angeles, Susan Penprase, Carolyn Swift, Ron Kustek, Christopher Elliott, Zach Friend, Tony Tomeo layout Michael Oppenheimer, Jim Johnson graphic artists Michael Oppenheimer, Jim Johnson

Santa Drops In S

o many holiday events have been cancelled due to COVID-19, but the hard-working folks at the Aptos La Selva and Central fire districts persuaded Santa to stop in Dec. 3 to help firefighters collect donations for Second Harvest Food Bank.

The drive-through event was a big success – five full barrels and boxes of food, and $1,260 in monetary donations.

The goal of this year’s holiday food and fund drive is $1.25 million, which would provide 4.5 million meals.

For those who can’t attend events in person, our combined fire districts also have an online fundraising page for Second Harvest, at: https://give. thefoodbank.org/teams/14641-centralaptos-la-selva-fire-districts n

photography Michael Oppenheimer, Jim Johnson, Brad King website Michael Oppenheimer, Camisa Composti production coordinator Camisa Composti media consultants Don Beaumont, Teri Huckobey, Brooke Valentine office coordinator Cathe Race distribution Bill Pooley, James Hudson

Times Publishing Group, Inc. 9601 Soquel Drive, Aptos, CA 95003 The Times Publishing Group, Inc., publishers of the Aptos Times, a bi-monthly publication, the Capitola Times and Scotts Valley Times, each printed monthly, Coastal Weddings Magazine, Coastal Home and Garden Magazine, Aptos’ Fourth of July Parade Official Program Guide and Capitola’s Begonia Festival Official Program Guide, is owned by Patrice Edwards.

Entire contents ©2020. All rights reserved.

Reproduction in any form is prohibited without the publisher’s written permission PHONE: (831) 688-7549 FAX: (831) 688-7551 GENERAL E-MAIL: info@cyber-times.com Patrice Edwards: patrice@cyber-times.com Publisher’s Assistant: assistant@cyber-times.com Editor: info@cyber-times.com Calendar Listings: www.tpgonlinedaily.com Graphics Department: graphics@cyber-times.com Billing Inquiries: cathe@cyber-times.com Classified Sales: sales@cyber-times.com Production: production@cyber-times.com CHECK OUT OUR WEB SITE AT: www.tpgonlinedaily.com mission statement We at the Times Publishing Group, Inc. are dedicated to providing a voice for the individuals and organizations in our community while highlighting the outstanding accomplishments of our local businesses. We seek to promote healthy family values through our coverage of youth activities, school news, senior events, community groups and entertainment

ABOVE: Captain Brad Piper, firefighter Henry Tobias and firefirefighter/paramedic Rolf Lingens are on duty at the drive-through holiday food drive for Second Harvest Food Bank.

LEFT: Santa Claus and his Elf (Central Fire Administrative Assistant Terry Hastings and her husband Jon) are ready to help firefighter Forest Gleistman at the holiday food drive for Second Harvest Food Bank at the Central Fire station in Live Oak.

COVER STORY “Heroes” from page 1 The American Red Cross awards Certificates of Extraordinary Personal Action to individuals who step up in an emergency situation and help save or sustain a life.

“On behalf of our Central Coast Board of Directors and our chapter’s many volunteers, I was honored to present Red Cross awards to these three individuals,” said Michele Averill, CEO of the local chapter of the Red Cross.

“In all likelihood, Danny Lucas would not have survived without the heroic efforts that his family members made in the seconds, minutes, and hours that followed his accident.”

In late November 2019, Lucas was critically injured in the hunting accident when a stray bullet tore through the large femoral artery of his left leg, shattering the femur just above his kneecap.

Jumping to his aid, his sons and father-in-law applied an emergency tourniquet and helped transport Lucas through remote terrain to the nearest hospital two hours away.

“The efforts of these three individuals that day made it possible for Danny to get the emergency care he so desperately

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“The efforts of these three individuals that day made it possible for Danny to get the emergency care he so desperately needed. We are so grateful for their heroism.”

— Michele Averill, CEO, Central Coast American Red Cross

needed,” Averill said. “We are so grateful for their heroism.”

Lucas was hospitalized for 41 days, during which he received 24 units of blood.

As a result of blood loss and nerve damage, the lower half of his left leg was amputated. But Lucas survived, and he has been continuing his recovery at his Watsonville home since for the past year.

A committed blood donor, Lucas estimates he had given a total of 64 units of blood before his accident. Grateful for the people in Montana who donated the blood that saved his life, Lucas decided to work closely with the Central Coast Chapter of the American Red Cross to promote blood donations and sponsored a blood drive in February in Watsonville.

The collaboration was tremendously successful, as Red Cross workers collected

a total of 80 units; a blood drive that nets 30 units is considered successful. In the years for which records exist, the total units collected were the most for any single drive in Santa Cruz and San Benito counties.

“Danny’s support of that and other Central Coast blood drives, coming during his own challenging recuperation, is plenty heroic,” Averill added. “But that wasn’t the focus of today’s ceremony. Today, we honored the three people who — through their courageous and compassionate actions that day — saved a life.”

Lucas and his wife, Cindi, attended the virtual ceremony, helping honor sons and Cindi’s father. The ceremony, originally envisioned as an in-person event, was held virtually in due to the COVID-19 pandemic. n ••• Cover Photo: Chad Lucas of Watsonville (left), Raymond Harris of Aptos (second from left), and Danny Lucas Jr. of Watsonville (right) received awards from the Central Coast Chapter of the American Red Cross for the “extraordinary action” each took to save the life of longtime Watsonville Fire Department Capt. Danny Lucas (second from right) following a hunting accident in the wilds of Montana a year ago. • Photo Credit: Shelly Alberi

CALIFORNIA NEWS

Amanda Ray First Woman to Head CHP O n Nov. 17, Amanda Ray was sworn in as California Highway Patrol commissioner, making her the first woman in its 91-year history to lead the largest state law enforcement agency in the nation.

Gov. Newsom appointed Ray as the 16th CHP commissioner on Oct. 20, after Warren Stanley announced his retirement after 38 years.

Ray began her Amanda Ray career with the CHP in 1990, rising through the ranks to be appointed deputy commissioner in February, the first African-American woman to hold that post.

She has served as incident commander during several high-profile events, including the agency’s response to COVID-19, civil unrest, and wildfires.

She was the first woman assigned as the Special Response Team Tactical Commander during Super Bowl 50 at Levi Stadium in Santa Clara.

This year, she was selected to attend the Federal Bureau of Investigation National Executive Institute executive training program studying national and international political, economic, and social trends affecting law enforcement.

Her goal is to serve and safeguard communities with compassion and understanding.

She earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from UC Berkeley.

“I am thankful to Gov. Newsom for trusting me to lead this exceptional organization and honored to follow in the footsteps of many innovative leaders who have come before me, including my friend, Warren Stanley,” Ray said. “I would not be where I am today without the foresight of those in 1974 who decided to give women the opportunity to become CHP officers, paving the way for

THE

Amanda Ray is sworn in as CHP commissioner, the first woman in that post, by Gov Newsom. many women to assume leadership roles in the department.”

She added, “I look forward to further guiding the department and its 11,000 women and men in engaging with the communities we serve to ensure California remains a safe place to live, work, and visit.”

Ray has appointed two members to her executive management team. They are Jim Epperson as deputy commissioner, her second-in-command responsible for the day-to-day operations, and Ryan Okashima as assistant commissioner/staff, who will oversee the administrative functions, including a $2.8 billion budget, departmental training, information technology, and personnel administration.

In August 2020, Rich Stewart was promoted to assistant commissioner/field, responsible for patrol and air operations throughout the state as well as protective services. n ••• The California Highway Patrol was created in 1929 to provide uniform traffic law enforcement throughout the state. Assuring the safe, convenient and efficient transportation of people and goods on our highway system is still our primary purpose.

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COMMUNITY NEWS

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Anti-Racist Work Underway at Mount Madonna

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By Shannon Kelly

n Nov. 11, the staff and faculty of Mount Madonna School gathered via Zoom for a workshop entitled, “Building on Cultural Assets and Strengths: One Step to Developing an Anti-Racist and Inclusive Climate.” The session was a follow-up to a training in September with Enid Lee, a consultant who has been working with educators for 40 years.

At the outset, Enid asked us to think about the ways in Shannon Kelly which COVID-19 is exposing issues of inequity in the workplace. This created an open dialogue and highlighted why it is so important to engage diverse perspectives when making decisions.

By grounding the conversation in an immediate, highly visible, and universal issue such as COVID, Enid illustrated how inequity is present in so many aspects of our lives, and how proactive we need to be to combat it.

As a result, we decided to survey faculty and staff and include their feedback when crafting our policy on inclement weather. While this may seem like a small thing, it shows how inviting more voices into the conversation can expand one’s ability to navigate and solve problems.

During the workshop, Enid Lee cited three main aspects of anti-racism work:

Enid Lee 1. Name racism (Enid shared Camara Phyllis Jones’s assertion that racism is a system of structuring opportunity and assigning value based on the social interpretation of how one looks, which is what we call race, which unfairly disadvantages some individuals and communities and unfairly advantages other individuals and communities.

Racism saps the strength of the whole society through the waste of human resources.)

2. Ask how racism is operating in the environments you are a part of 3. Organize and strive to dismantle racism “Fighting Racism” page 10

COMMUNITY NEWS

Helping Students Who Need Clean Water

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By Jaylen Deng

he Aptos High Leo Club is fundraising for the Bishwa Shiksha Sadan Secondary School in Nepal. This cause is very important to us because we are helping students who don’t have access to clean water.

We found it intriguing that clean water is so abundant and available here in Santa Cruz County, that we find ourselves rarely,

if ever, pausing to consider what life would be like without it.

We have formed the Aptos High Leo Club, modeled after the International Lions Club public service groups, and seek to help those in need, especially when it comes to essential needs.

We invite you to watch the video below that the Aptos High Leo Club put together, because it explains everything you need to know about our mission to tackle a water crisis for a school in a small community in Nepal: https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=wTGZ-G-gUBU We are encouraged by the support our local community has already shown, but we still need help in reaching our fundraising goal of $2,500.

We have just launched a fundraising effort, teaming up with local businesses to help us offer financial supporters two chances to win a $200 gift basket of Gravity Water from Wine, a $100 Aptos St. BBQ gift card, a $50 gift certificate to Mission Hill Creamery in Downtown Santa Cruz, a

reusable metal FinalStraw, and Santa Cruz’s Organic peanut butter paired with a jam. So don’t wait! You have until Dec. 22 to donate to help us help provide students in a small community in Nepal with the simple system to solve their water supply problems!

Would you be willing to make a contribution to our fundraiser? A gift of any amount would mean the world to us.

Simply donating $8 will provide one child with a permanent source of safe drinking water and $5 will give one child a year supply of hand soap for school and home.

To donate, simply click the link to our fundraiser: https://www.flipcause.com/secure/team_fundraiser/ ODQxMTY=/6764 It would also mean a lot if you could share our fundraiser link on social media or other media. The more exposure we get, the faster we will reach our fundraising goal of $2500 and help a school in a small community have plenty of water. You can also use this QR code if you’d like to share our video with others. It will direct you to

our Aptos High School Leo Club website, so we encourage you to check it out as it showcases our volunteer efforts.

If you have any other questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us via our email: aptoshsleo@gmail.com n ••• Jaylen Dang is president of the Aptos High Leo Club.

Santa Cruz Parking for Hope

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he City of Santa Cruz with the Downtown Association of Santa Cruz will host the seventh annual Parking for Hope downtown holiday parking program from Dec. 18-25.

The proceeds from street meters during t h e s e e i g h t d a y s will be donated to Hope Services,

a local nonprofit, while the usual parking rates will apply.

Hope Services has helped to keep Pacific Avenue and other downtown Santa Cruz streets clean for 22 years while providing training and support services to adults with developmental disabilities.

Since 2014, Parking for Hope has generated $184,086 for Hope Services, including $39,984 last year.

Parkmobile pay-by-phone parking fees of 35 cents per transaction will also be donated as part of the contribution to Hope Services for those eight days. n

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Aptos Man, 88, Walking to His Mailbox, Hit by Car

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oseph Granados, 29, of Watsonville, was arrested Dec. 4 on suspicion of driving under the influence of drugs after his car struck an 88-year-old man walking to his mailbox crossing Freedom Boulevard, according to the California Highway Patrol.

The crash took place at about 2:51 p.m. near Mariner Drive, the entryway to Aptos High School, on an afternoon that was sunny and clear.

Officer J. Eshragi reported Granados

was headed east on Freedom Boulevard in his 1997 Honda when his car hit the man and then the mailboxes on the south shoulder of Freedom Boulevard.

The pedestrian, who was taken to Dominican Hospital by ambulance and then flown to Valley Medical Center, sustained major injuries.

Granados did not receive any injuries, according to the officer.

The collision is still under investigation. n

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FEATURED COLUMNIST

Distance Learning: A Successful Tribe Poem By Susan Penprase

2020, off you go You’ve been hard on us, I’m sure you know You sent us packing way back in March on that Friday 13 The rest is like nothing we’ve ever seen We learned to use Zoom and Google Meet too We got to attend school without our shoes We wore jammies to class and showed off our pets Would we return to campus in one month or two? It was anyone’s bet As it turned out, we said goodbye to our friends in a meeting on Zoom There was no party, yearbook signing or farewell hugging in June Everyone wondered how school would return as summer came and went August arrived and to Google Meet we were sent Excited and nervous as the new year got going We muddled through tech challenges, not really knowing The mornings were long as we stared at the screen Teachers encouraging kids to go outside and look at something green

Days turned into weeks and we got into a flow Everyday I open the classroom to see you all smile and glow We’ve barely met in person yet I know each and every one of you in my own way I love the joy, the intelligence, the kindness and excitement you bring to class everyday

We’ve learned new platforms, programs and apps We’ve done math and reading with pets and siblings on our laps We’ve had some laughs and some tears We’ve overcome some screen fright fears We’ve had great virtual field trips to study the ocean, animals and butterflies Friday art, Ivan and readers on Friday who are a surprise!

Distance Learning is different, no doubt But, we’re doing it well and that’s worth a shout We’ve been successful and have learned so much We don’t sit together and we certainly don’t touch Yet we have formed a tribe within our computer screen Our actions, respect, big thinking and friendship can be seen

Your parents have supported this odd situation Sometimes there’s been a little frustration They’ve juggled work, appointments, siblings and bills from the start They have your best interests at heart I thank them so much for all that they do They help me, and they help you

Silver linings remind us that there’s always something to learn If we keep an open, positive mind at each and every turn When I look at how much you have accomplished since the beginning of the year I want to stand up and cheer It’s remarkable really how you listen so well and figure things out on your own Academically, emotionally and physically, you have truly grown

Distance Learning is not ideal, but do not pout Let’s stay strong, focused and make it count We’re making history you know Be proud of our work and all that we do Hold our heads high and be great with home school Someday the history books will say “those third graders rule” ••• Susan Penprase, who teachers third grade at Watsonville Charter School of the Arts, wrote this poem as a tribute to her students.

COMMUNITY NEWS

COVID-19 Vaccine Arrives at Santa Cruz County Hospitals

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n Wednesday, Toni Luckett, a surgical nurse at Dominican Hospital in Santa Cruz, was the first to get the new Pfizer vaccine against the contagious coronavirus COVID-19.

Next came Dr. Laura Likar, a pulmonologist. Then Cesar Castillo, who works in environmental services, Sally Redemann-Knowles, a pharmacist, and Marika Riggs, a registered nurse in the intensive care unit.

Unpacking the vaccine out of the box, Dominican health-care workers gave a big cheer, saying, “Thank you, county!”

The vaccine, fast-tracked by the federal government, arrived less than a year after the first virus case was reported in Santa Cruz County in late January.

At that time, no one knew deadly it would be.

So far, the virus has claimed 60 lives locally and more than 21,000 statewide — proving to be especially deadly among older people, grandmothers, grandfathers and great-grandparents, and people with underlying conditions.

The vaccine arrived amidst an unprecedented surge of cases locally, regionally and statewide. Intensive care units in the Bay Area region, which includes Santa Cruz County, are near capacity, triggering stay-at-home orders for the next three weeks.

“In Santa Cruz County, we have all made sacrifices to slow the spread of the virus and adapt to a new normal.

The next steps in our pandemic response are widespread vaccinations and community recovery,” said Dr. Gail

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Newel, health officer for the County of Santa Cruz. “The delivery of these safe and effective vaccines are a welcome step in that direction.”

She was part of a group of health officers in the San Francisco Bay region that issued a join statement Tuesday when the vaccine arrived, calling it Vaccine “a critical tool to help fight this pandemic.”

Hospital workers are the first to get the vaccine under a federal and state framework adopted locally.

Next will be residents in nursing homes, where the virus has been especially deadly.

The Bay Area’s health officers believe, as federal officials do, that these vaccines are safe and effective, and that with practices such as wearing Photo Credit: Shmuel Thaler masks and physical distancing (six feet Toni Luckett, RN, receives the first vaccine at Dominican Hospital on Wednesday. from people outside your household) will save lives and ultimately end the pandemic. the counties of Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, Monterey, Other key steps to fight the pandemic include identi- Napa, San Benito, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, fying and isolating people diagnosed positive, and tracing Santa Cruz, Sonoma and the City of Berkeley. and quarantining contacts.

All of the region’s health officers plan to take the For the public this also means avoiding gatherings, vaccine when the opportunity comes. postponing travel, and staying home whenever possible.

Vaccines for the general public may be available by The Bay Area group include 12 health officers for early summer, they said. n

COMMUNITY NEWS

County Reports 64 COVID Deaths; Stay-At-Home Order Begins Friday

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By Jondi Gumz

day after Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine arrived in Santa Cruz County with the priority hospital workers, the number of county residents dead because of the coronavirus rose again, to 64 on Wednesday, and the regional intensive care unit availability dropped to 12.9 percent, triggering a stay-at-home order for Santa Cruz County takes effect at 11:49 p.m.

Thursday and will remain for at least three weeks. After that, ICU availability will be reassessed weekly.

In eight days, the virus claimed 17 more lives, elders in their 60s, 70s, 80s and 90s. The increase is being driven by deaths at nursing homes, which account for 44 of the total fatalities. Underlying conditions have been a factor in 47 deaths, according to public health data.

Santa Cruz County reported 1,632 active cases Wednesday, bringing the total to 6,317 since the virus arrived in January.

In the state’s COVID strategy, which mandates stay-at-home orders when ICU availability falls below 15 percent, Santa Cruz County is part of the Bay Area Region along with Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, Monterey, Napa, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Solano and Sonoma counties.

The order prohibits private gatherings of any size and mandates masking and physical distancing.

“With our case counts at an all-time high and headed higher due to the Thanksgiving surge, our hospitals and health care delivery system are at the breaking point,” Santa Cruz County Health Officer Dr. Gail Newel said. “We urge all residents to adhere to state guidelines as closely as possible to minimize the spread of COVID-19 and help reduce impacts to our most vulnerable residents.

Our actions now will help us return to our normal lives sooner rather than later.”

A New York State investigation of COVID case contacts from September through November found 74 percent were linked to private gatherings, 8 percent to health care, and 2 percent to restaurants.

The restrictions require individuals to stay home unless traveling for essential purposes, prohibits leisure travel and gatherings outside one’s immediate household, limits community and commercial activities, and will be in place a minimum of three weeks.

Closures he regional stay-at-home order also closes hair salons, barbershops, personal care services such as massage, indoor recreation

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Photo Credit: Shmuel Thaler

Staff at Dominican Hospital carefully unbox the first shipments of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine. such as gyms and fitness centers, museums, bars, wineries and breweries; limits grocery store occupancy to 35 percent and all other retail stores to 20 percent, and ends outdoor dining at restaurants, allowing only take-out, pickup and delivery.

People can leave home to buy food, obtain health care and exercise. Non-urgent medical and dental care may remain open.

Offices except for critical services must shift to remote work.

Schools offering in-person learning and child care may remain open if remote options are not possible.

Hotels are open for critical services but leisure travel is not allowed, and neither is overnight camping.

At places of worship, only outdoor services are allowed. Political protests can only take place outdoors.

To maintain physical and mental health, members of the same household are encouraged to go to a park, hike, walk or bike ride and practice physical distancing.

The state guidance on youth and adult recreational sports, released Monday, details what is permissible.

With 1,632 active cases, Santa Cruz County’s contact tracing staff is stretched thin, according to Mimi Hall, director of the county Health Services Agency.

New App all urged residents to download a new app for cell phones, called CA Notify,

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to help reduce the spread of the virus. The app became available on Dec. 10.

Once installed on a smartphone, the app tells if you have been exposed to someone who has tested positive for the virus.

With this information, people can make responsible decisions around quarantine and testing, which is essential for stopping the surge, according to Hall, noting that the app protects privacy because no personally identifiable information is collected.

People who opt in and get a positive test result will receive a code via text message from the California Department of Public Health.

“The more people download and use

this app, the more helpful it is to our efforts to contain this disease,” Santa Cruz County Health Director Mimi Hall said. “It helps us save lives.”

More information is at www.canotify. ca.gov.

While the county’s cases have skyrocketed since Thanksgiving, the local situation is better than what’s happening statewide.

Santa Cruz County has 37.5 new cases per 100,000 population compared to 63.9 statewide.

The county’s positivity rate on tests is 6.5% compared to 11.3% statewide.

However, the county’s equity positivity rate, a measure of disadvantaged populations, is 14.8% which shows a gap that needs to be closed.

Lawsuit Update lawsuit filed against Watsonville Post Acute Center by the family of 94-yearold Donald Wickham, one of 16 residents who died of COVID at the nursing home, has been assigned to Superior Court Judge Timothy Volkmann, according to attorney Dvid Spini, who represents the family.

A status conference is set for March 10.

Spini said he has not received response to the complaint from Watsonville Post-Acute.

Spini, who is with Scruggs, Spini & Fulton in Santa Cruz, said the firm has heard from some other families about COVID-related deaths at that facility.

“We are in the process of investigating these other claims, as everyone’s experience is a bit different,” he said. “We have also heard from families who lost family members to COVID at other facilities.”

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“COVID Update” page 17

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COMMUNITY BRIEFS Oral Health Heroes Nominations Sought

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ominations are due by noon Dec. 31 for the 2021 Oral Health Hero Awards, which recognize outstanding commitment to improving oral health for the underserved in Santa Cruz County.

This year, the Santa Cruz Oral Health Access Committee will honor two community members who have gone above and beyond in their passion for expanding access to oral health care.

One award will go to a dentist, hygienist, or staff from a dental office; the other award will go to a non-dental professional who has promoted oral health through their work in the community. Non-dental nominees work in public health, nonprofits, education, or a medical setting.

One in four children in Santa Cruz have cavities.

In California, Latinx children and poor children experience more tooth decay and untreated tooth decay than other children.

Many strides have been taken over the last four years to reduce this disparity but because of the pandemic, schools are closed along with school-based dental care services, which many families depended on for dental care.

Dental offices are seeing patients at a reduced capacity, maintaining COVID-19 safety protocols.

“Much-needed preventative appointments had to be delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Dr. Sepideh Taghvaei, dental director of Dientes Dental Clinic, adding that dentists, healthcare providers and oral health educators “have done a wonderful job changing their systems to meet state guidelines, while also striving to meet the needs of our underserved community.”

Oral Health Heroes will be recognized at the Oral Health Summit on Feb. 4.

“Fighting Racism” from page 6 Dismantling racism requires daily constant effort to address these points.

Science teacher Lisa Catterall shared, “Thanks to these sessions with Enid Lee, I feel more empowered than ever to highlight the work of BIPOC [black, indigenous and people of color] engineers, scientists, and mathematicians in my curriculum across the grades, and I feel more comfortable speaking up when I notice areas where we can improve in representation and equity.”

History teacher Chrislaine Miller reflected, “I personally feel this is an important moment to foster these conversations in the workplace, especially in light of the recent Executive order by the President (on 9/22/2020) that states that diversity programs have ‘no place in programs and activities supported by Federal taxpayer dollars.’

She continues: “This executive order sets up the structures for enforcement through hotlines where anyone can make a complaint about their employer if they

To submit nominations: https://bit.ly/ OralHealthHero.

••• Agri-Culture Scholarship Deadline Jan. 29

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gri-Culture, Inc. is accepting applications for four scholarships to be awarded in 2021 for students entering or currently attending college and majoring in agriculture, animal science or culinary arts. They are: Jimmie Cox Memorial Scholarship: $4,000 for a student entering or currently attending college and majoring in agriculture. This award includes $2,000 from American AgCredit.

Jeannie Witmer Memorial Scholarship: $1,500 for a student active (past or present) in California High School Rodeo Association District 4 or California 4-H Horse Program, entering or currently attending college and majoring in agriculture and/or animal sciences.

J.J. Crosetti, Jr. Memorial Scholarship: $1,000 for a student entering or currently attending college and majoring in agriculture.

Laura Brown Memorial Scholarship: $2,000 for a student entering or currently attending college and majoring in agriculture, a related field, or culinary arts.

The deadline to apply is: Friday, Jan. 29.

The application is at: http://www.agri-culture. us/wp-content/uploads/Application-AgriCulture-Scholarships-Combined-2021.pdf To request an application, contact the Financial Aid office at your school or AgriCulture, 141 Monte Vista Ave., Watsonville, CA 95076 or call (831) 722-6622 or (831) 8181193. Or email: agri-culture@sbcglobal.net.

with the community and share art inspired by your experiences of 2020.

There are three categories: Professional, novice age13 and older, and youth 12 and under.

The contest will have two phases. In the first phase, artists will submit their piece via digital submission by Dec. 28; the pieces which will be placed and shared in the Digital Gallery located on the City of Capitola webpage, www. cityofcapitola.org After the entry deadline, a panel of judges will choose first, second and third place and honorable mentions for each entry category.

The winners of this first phase will receive ribbons and the opportunity to have their pieces on public display in the second phase and win the “Public’s Choice” award.

The professional award is a $700 purchase prize, the novice award is $250 cash and the youth award is a $150 gift certificate.

••• Artistic Local Gifts At Your Fingertips

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eflections of 2020” art contest, sponsored by the Capitola Arts & Recreation Commission, is an opportunity for artists to connect

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ooking for a unique gift but dread going out to shop? Check the Visual Arts Network of Santa Cruz County at https:// visualartsnetworkscc.com/ and click on “Explore Artists.”

The network has 186 artists from A to W — assemblage to woodworking.

You can sort by medium, such as glass, jewelry, ceramics, or photography, or focus on Open Studios artists or those accepting commissions.

As you peruse artist profiles, you’ll be able to see if an artist has added their shop to their page by looking for the “Shop Here” button.

If you’re not quite sure and you want to see the work before you buy, many artists are setting up appointments (with social distancing and mask requirements) so you can visit.

discuss the very topics that we have had a chance to cover in our staff development days. While this order harkens back to dark times in American history, I think we as a school community must consider how important diversity education is in this moment. Enid’s approach (carefully listening to our ideas and feedback and providing a range of alternatives for sharing) gives all of us who were present a chance to think critically about how our school functions for everybody.”

One concept Enid introduced proved to be a powerful tool at both workshops: The idea of the open/closed sign. She asked us to think of the ways that we can, individually and institutionally, make decisions focused on equity and to explore the ways we may unintentionally leave people out of the conversation. This work can apply to how and who we hire, who we include in the decision-making process, and how we frame the admission and financial aid process.

On Nov. 11, Enid expanded on the open/closed sign idea by sharing a powerful TED talk by Camara Phyllis Jones,

Allegories on Race and Racism. These allegories gave us a shared understanding of race and racism, and, for me, a way to measure the equity and inclusion work we are doing at Mount Madonna School.

Enid’s three main aspects of antiracism work, coupled with Camara Jones’s allegories, created a powerful framework for the workshop, energizing faculty and staff to engage in this important work.

Dean of Students Bob Caplan said, “I am inspired by Enid Lee’s ‘hidden assets’ teaching, which encourages us to take an even deeper look at the students’ strengths, values and interests as a window into ways to connect with and empower their learning.”

These workshops are one of many initiatives at Mount Madonna School to foster a more inclusive and equitable environment for all our stakeholders.

In June, we formed an equity and inclusion committee made up of faculty, staff, administrators, parent, board and alumni voices. The group includes Masina Hunnicutt, Jill Kayne, Chrislaine

••• Dec. 28 Deadline for 2020 Art Contest

10 / December 15th 2020 / Aptos Times www.tpgonlinedaily.com

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••• Comments Due Dec. 30 on State Aviation Plan

altrans’ Division of Aeronautics is accepting public comments through Dec. 30 on the draft California Aviation System Plan for 2020.

The 2020 plan envisions the ongoing role of aviation — large commercial service airports to small local general aviation airports such as Watsonville Municipal, Airport — in the state’s transportation environment, reviews airport activities and details aviation’s contributions to communities, the environment, and the economy.

Some $12 million in capital improvement projects are envisioned at Watsonville Municipal Airport over the next five years, not taking into account impacts from COVID-19.

The 375-page plan is posted at https:// dot.ca.gov/programs/aeronautics/ california-aviation-system-plan. Email comments to CASP2020@dot.ca.gov.

The final draft document will be submitted in January to the California Transportation Commission for adoption.

••• Red Cross Blood Donations Santa Cruz

Dec 22: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 220 Elk St. Dec 29: 9:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., Hotel Paradox, 611 Ocean St. Dec 31: 10 a.m. - 2 p.m., The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 220 Elk St. Jan 1, 2021: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Hotel Paradox, 611 Ocean St.

~~~ Watsonville

Dec 18: 12 p.m. - 5 p.m., Pajaro Valley Health Trust Hall, 85 Nielson Street Dec 24: 9 a.m. - 1:30 p.m., Pajaro Valley Health Trust Hall, 85 Nielson Street n

Miller, Christine Orozco, Jennifer Astone, AnMei Dasbach-Pris ‘20, Gitanjali Hemp, and myself. The committee has met weekly and exploring issues of equity and inclusion.

The Mount Madonna School Board of Directors approved the committee’s proposed updated school values statements, posted at the Mount Madonna School website. The group is working on crafting an equity and inclusion statement and other initiatives such as a land acknowledgment. Be on the lookout for more information on the committee’s work.

Reflecting on the workshop, Christine Orozco, a parent and staff member on the equity and inclusion committee, said, “Mount Madonna School is a community that celebrates and honors every unique individual and the multifaceted experiences that they bring to the school. We believe that embracing our diversity leads to social/emotional and academic excellence.” n ••• Shannon Kelly is Upper School director at Mount Madonna School.

COMMUNITY NEWS

Remembering Ziva: Be Kind & Thoughtful

By Risa Schwartz She was a free spirit who appreciated rainbows, mermaids and unicorns and she loved to sing and dance. In July 2019, she was diagnosed with leukemia and it ultimately took her life on Dec. 18, 2019. Her teacher, Risa Schwartz, wrote this tribute.

••• veryone knew and loved Ziva, our tiny magical rainbow mermaid unicorn girl.

She was kind and always thought of others and that is the legacy she left behind — be kind and think of others.

Her passing impacted our entire school, as she was to be in first grade and her brother and sister were in fourth and sixth grade.

This year, she would have been in second grade in my class. Her birthday is Nov. 26 and two other kids in the class share a birthday with her.

E Editor’s note: Ziva Mitnick was a small child with a big personality and she will not be forgotten. The daughter of Josh and Sarah Mitnick, she was born in 2012 and attended Mar Vista Elementary School in Aptos.

We talk about her and of course even more with her birthday being in November.

I wanted to do something to honor her so I asked her best friend for an idea and she came up with donating “mermaid and unicorn” masks for the homeless children.

We set forth a crowd-funding effort in the second grade community of Mar Vista, the staff, and on her memory page. We have raised $565 toward masks and have received 15 packs of masks so far! (There are 4-6 masks per pack.)

It isn’t just me who has done something, her brother’s sixth grade teacher has arranged with Christ Lutheran Church on McGregor Drive to put up a little food pantry where people can leave and take canned and boxed food.

Her sister did a toy drive in September to donate to

Kaiser Santa Clara children’s ICU unit for the kids to have special things to play with during their stay because those same things really lifted Ziva’s spirit while she was in the hospital.

These are just three ways Ziva’s spirit has carried on, but I know there are many more. n

www.tpgonlinedaily.com Aptos Times / December 15th 2020 / 11

COMMUNITY NEWS

Talks Ongoing For $908B COVID Aid Package Editor’s note: On Dec. 16, Republicans and Democrats in Congress were reported to be nearing an agreement with the White House on a “targeted pandemic relief package” as a Friday midnight deadline loomed. The proposal may include stimulus checks of $600 to $700 to individuals and unemployment aid. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said legislators would not leave until there is an agreement.

••• n Dec. 3, U.S. Rep. Jimmy Panetta (D-Carmel Valley), his bipartisan congressional colleagues on the Problem Solvers Caucus, and a bipartisan group of senators announced a $908 billion COVID-19 emergency relief framework.

The package would provide support to small businesses, local and state governments, students, renters and healthcare providers during the pandemic.

The proposal was formulated and supported by the 25 Democrats, including Congressman Panetta, and the 25 Republican members of the Problem Solvers Caucus in coordination with Senators Joe Manchin (West Virginia), Susan Collins

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• • • • •

(Maine), Mark Warner (Virginia), Bill Cassidy (Louisiana), Jeanne Shaheen (New Hampshire), Lisa Murkowski (Alaska), Angus King (Maine), Mitt Romney (Utah), and Maggie Hassan (New Hampshire).

The framework of the targeted package allocates $908 billion in total aid, including both new funding and the reallocation of previously appropriated CARES Act funding. The legislation would focus resources to the following key categories: • Paycheck Protection Program including restaurants, stages, and deductibility $288 billion

12 / December 15th 2020 / Aptos Times www.tpgonlinedaily.com

• State, Local, and Tribal Governments $160 billion • Additional Unemployment Insurance - $180 billion • Education Funding - $82 billion • Transportation (Airlines, Airports, Buses, Transit, Amtrak) - $45 billion • Healthcare Provider Relief Fund - $35B • Nutrition/Agriculture - $26 billion • Rental Housing Assistance - $25 billion • Vaccine Development and Distribution, Testing, Tracing - $16 billion • CDFI/MDI Community Lender Support - $12 billion

U.S. Postal Service - $10 billion Child Care - $10 billion Broadband Funding - $10 billion Opioid Treatment - $5 billion Student Loans - $4 billion The proposal would provide short-term federal protection from coronavirus-related lawsuits to give states times to develop their own response.

“Right now, there are Americans that are hurting due to this bruising pandemic and damaging economic restrictions. In my community, in addition to the health crisis, people are out of work and small businesses are closing their doors under incredible financial strain,” said Panetta.

“Our Problem Solvers Caucus bipartisan, bicameral package delivers targeted relief to our country’s healthcare providers, families, employees, and employers. It’s past time for Congress to play its part, get back to the negotiating table, and provide the needed support for the central coast of California and communities nationwide.”

“908 Billion” page 14

COMMUNITY NEWS

Growers, Employees Share ‘Farmer of the Year’ Honors T his year, which has been so different in so many ways, the Santa Cruz County Farm Bureau did something different in naming the 2020 Farmer of the Year.

The honorees are “all Santa Cruz County growers and farm employees.”

Farm Bureau President Arnett Young said, “Local agriculture has been an important essential business during this pandemic to ensure that food production was not interrupted, so as people spent more time at home, they could be assured of a safe and adequate food supply.”

“It seems appropriate that we make this announcement during the week of Thanksgiving when families are enjoying the bounty made possible by growers and farm employees,” said Young.

He added, “We commend everyone involved in local agriculture for the outstanding service they provided the community, our state, country and worldwide.”

This award is presented annually to the farmer(s) who have contributed beyond their normal farming duties to help the community.

The decision was made during the Farm Bureau’s 103rd Annual Meeting, which took place virtually. The board of directors felt it was appropriate to honor all local growers and farm employees because of their resilience and adaptability in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The board acknowledged the work done this year by the Farm Bureau’s COVID-19 Task Force, which interacted with the county Health Services Agency on a regular basis.

The new president is a senior research technician at Chiquita/Fresh Express. He is a graduate of UC Santa Cruz with a master ’s degree from CSU Monterey Bay. n ••• Officers elected for the coming year are: President/State Delegate: Arnett Young 1st Vice President/State Delegate: Dennis Webb 2nd Vice President/Alternate Delegate: Peter Navarro Past President/Alternate Delegate: Brendan Miele Directors elected are: For 1st term, three-year director: Greg Estrada, Cattle

For 2nd term, three-year director: Nishan Moutafian, Berries, and Mike Jani, Timber For 3rd term, three-year director: John Pisturino, Cattle, and Geri Prevedelli-Lathrop, Apples

Farmworkers garbed to prevent the contagious coronavirus COVID-19 work in the fields.

www.tpgonlinedaily.com Aptos Times / December 15th 2020 / 13

NOVEMBER 2020

Aptos Real Estate Update

Ruth Bates 831.359.2212

ruthbates1@gmail.com CalBRE#01799929

Happy Holidays.

This is the time of year for reflection and renewed optimism for a positive future.

One thing we can all do is to SHOP LOCAL, SUPPORT LOCAL. Our economy has suffered this year, we all know it. Here are some things you can do:

1) Support the Aptos Chamber – they put on the 4th of July parade every year, hold multiple Aptos events like the annual holiday tree trimming and run the Aptos Museum that all school age children visit and enjoy.

Go to www.aptoschamber.com and join the Chamber, or Buy a Brick in the Village to commemorate a loved one, or Buy a Holiday Mask, or join the Aptos Museum.

2) Shop and Eat Local – we have so many NEW Aptos Businesses to pick from – here are some of the ones I’ve found and enjoyed.

FOOD: Penny Ice Creamery, Mentone, Betty Burger, Mountain Mikes, Sushi Garden, Poke Bowl, Akira, Carried Away, Café Rio, Flats Bistro, Bittersweet, The Farm, Pixies, Burger, Cantine, Hong Kong Garden, Panda Inn, Mangiamo, Pizza 1, Pino Alto, Norma Jean’s, Farrells, Palapas, Palm Deli, Sanderlings, Village Host, Severinos, Showtime Pizza, Zameen, Sid’s, Snow White, Surf City.

SHOPS: Sockshop, O’Neills, Roosters Men’s Grooming, Bubble Lounge, Kelly Moore Paints.

The oldies but goodies are great too – FOOD: Erik’s Deli, Red Apple Café, Pacific Roasting, Uncle Kwoks, Gordos, Parish, Mariannes, Manuels, Café Sparrow, Aptos St. BBQ, Persephone, Bangkok West.

SHOPS: Fleet Feet, Carolines, ACE hardware, Blue Moon, Cinnamon Bay and so many more.

COMMUNITY NEWS

Man Arrested in 1995 Homicide T wenty-five years after the body of Gloria Hassemer was found on the Pajaro River levee near the Highway 1 overpass, detectives with the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office arrested John Laroche, 63, of Turlock, saying forensic evidence links him to the murder.

Laroche was John Laroche arrested around 10 a.m. Dec. 3 near his house in Turlock without incident with the help of the

Turlock Police Department, according to the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office.

Hassemer, 41, was last seen around 4 a.m. on June 10, 1995, walking on Water Street near Ocean Street in Santa Cruz. She was wearing a denim jacket, a blue and black shirt, jeans and white tennis shoes. She may have hitched a ride from Santa Cruz to Watsonville where she was found, according to detectives.

“This murder shook our community back in 1995, and our detectives have been committed to making an arrest since,” said Sheriff Jim Hart.

SHOP LOCAL for the HOLIDAYS!

presents

v ISuAL ArTS

N e t w o r k

A CurATeD DIreCTOrY Of SAnTA Cruz COunTY vISuAL ArTISTS

Art on Your Schedule Any Time

In 2021 we will see a new traffic light at Soquel and Aptos Creek Road and the start of Phase II in the Aptos Village. The Real Estate market remains very much a Seller’s market, no inventory, lots of buyers and historically low interest rates. And Prop 19 passed, so now if you are over 55, you can sell your home and transfer your tax basis anywhere in the state; this should bring more inventory to market here in Aptos.

All Year Long Find your favorite artists and discover new ones!

Return often for updates.

We shall see.

I love what I do and I’d love to help you.

Call, email, text any time, and Get Results With Ruth!

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY

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14 / December 15th 2020 / Aptos Times www.tpgonlinedaily.com

“We’ve seen the heartbreak it’s brought to Gloria’s loved ones and we are proud to be taking this step towards justice.”

Laroche has connections Gloria Hassemer to Santa Clara County and the Central Valley and based on his criminal history, investigators believe there could be additional victims.

If you have information, call the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office detectives at 831-454-7635.

“908 Billion” from page 12 “For far too long, working families, small businesses, local governments, critical health care providers, and school districts across America have been left wondering when Washington would stop the partisan bickering and pass a comprehensive stimulus package,” said Problem Solvers Caucus Co-Chair Tom Reed, Republican of New York. “Now, we have a bipartisan, bicameral deal that directly addresses the needs of the nation and best positions the country for an effective rollout of a COVID-19 vaccine. It’s time to come together as proud Americans and get the job done.”

“This is a win for the American people, for common sense, and for problem solving. With cases spiking, winter around the corner, and countless small businesses closing every day, and far too many families hurting, we simply cannot leave anyone out in the cold. This is an essential down payment on what our families, small businesses, and local communities need,” said Problem Solvers Caucus Co-Chair Josh Gottheimer, Democrat of New Jersey.

“This four-month COVID-19 emergency relief package will get us through the hardest months of winter and into a new Administration.”

••• A breakdown of the COVID-19 emergency relief framework is at https:// www.manchin.senate.gov/imo/media/ doc/COVID%20Emergency%20Relief%20 Framework.pdf?cb A 20-minute recording of the Dec. 3 press conference is at https://www. facebook.com/ProblemSolversCaucus/ videos/3582630518522137/

COMMUNITY NEWS

Holiday Lights: Making Spirits Bright I t’s the darkest time of the year, but local residents are doing their best to make your holiday bright.

The Agricultural History Project and the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds Foundation are presenting the first Holiday Lights Adventure at the fairgrounds, which you can view from the warmth and safety of their vehicles, avoiding any stray COVID-19.

First you’ll see an extravagant display of holiday lights along a half-mile route; the journey concludes with drive-through food booths where you can buy holiday treats to take home.

Holiday Lights 2020 will run Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. through Dec. 27, closed on Christmas Day. Tickets at fairgrounds-foundation.org are priced at $15 per vehicle in advance, $20 at the gate.

At Aptos Knolls Mobile Home Park, Ben and Radeene Anguino are keeping their holiday tradition of tree decorating.

This year, Ben, 85, and Radeene, 82, put up 144 trees. Yes, 144 trees.

Each tree is decorated differently depending on the theme of the room it’s in.

The trees stay up through New Year’s.

Normally the couple would have more than 100 people visit their place on Trailwood Way but because of COVID-19, that won’t happen.

We hope you enjoy their Christmas spirit.

Ordinarily Judy Smith would be singing carols with three gals in a cappella ensemble, entertaining visitors at the historic Filoli mansion in Woodside, all dressed up for the holidays. You guessed right, it can’t happen this year due to COVID-19.

But Judy and her husband, who live on the 200 block of Shoreview Drive in Aptos, have their house decked out in holiday lights. Don’t be surprised if you hear the sound of caroling echoing in the night. n

www.tpgonlinedaily.com Aptos Times / December 15th 2020 / 15

COMMUNITY NEWS

Singer Ron Kaplan’s New Book of Old Love Songs

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inger Ron Kaplan and indie music label Kapland Records of Aptos have released their second book by Every Now and Zen Press, entitled “Song of Ron.” The 44-page book, composed of poetic lyrics from songs written and performed

by Kaplan from 1976-1983, chronicles his journey of insights on love and life with his guitar as trusty companion.

It can be said that all songs are love songs. That’s what Kaplan thought when listening to the radio going through a “break-up.” In those songs were tales of found love and lost love as an ever-present theme across cultures and genres.

Then Kaplan turned off the radio and began to learn to play the guitar and write his own songs.

As he reviewed this collection of his songs, he could see in the beginning it was about love lost, love celebrated, and love sought.

As his mind expanded beyond the world of feelings he began to write on issues, and ideas, and eventually humor, with humanity at heart, in the process of being human.

His life then took a different direction.

He set down the guitar to focus on building a business, a family, and a life with his wife Cheri.

Kaplan returned to music to sing once again from 1994 to 2020, which he calls a saving grace. This go-around has been as a jazz singer interpreting the repertoire of the jazz standards of the Great American Songbook.

“I am so glad I lived in a musical world to express myself and bask in its sea of emotions, feelings, sensations, vibrations, imagery, and co-creations,” Kaplan said. “I knew right from the start that music and I were meant to be companions, resonating together throughout time. In my mind, singers are born, and I was born to sing among other species of our world in the Animal Kingdom. It is what comes most naturally to me. There are memories and anecdotal reports of me singing at the very young age of 2 or 3.

Even my name Ron is diminutive of the male given name Ronald, of Hebrew origin, meaning “Song of Joy.” So his new book, “Song of Ron,” is aptly titled, for these are the lyrics from the songs that he wrote and sang with his guitar, a valued friend and trusty companion throughout those years. n ••• The paperback is $14.99 at Bookshop Santa Cruz and Kelly’s Books in Watsonville, and $4.99 as an eBook. To learn more, visit https://store.bookbaby.com/book/Song-of-Ron

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Ron Kaplan

“COVID Update” from page 9 When the Wickham case was filed on Nov. 10, no other nursing homes in the county had had a COVID death, but now that has changed.

Santa Cruz Post Acute has also reported 16 COVID deaths, and 10 people with COVID died at Pacific Coast Manor in Capitola. Two people with COVID died at Hearts & Hands Rehab in Santa Cruz. A few deaths were reported at residential care homed for the elderly.

Spini said the question will be whether each nursing home had specific failures in their infection control protocols, whether this is a systemic problem within nursing homes as a whole, or whether this is simply an unpreventable consequence of the virus.

He added, “One thing that we are learning is that at several facilities the elderly residents, once diagnosed with COVID, were essentially denied access to family members. Obviously, in-person visits are not practical. We are finding that even telephone or video conferencing communication was not being facilitated. This creates new concerns for these residents who knowing they were facing the end had to do so without any communication with their family or loved ones.”

So many deaths have occurred that county Public Health spokeswoman Corinne Hyland created a spreadsheet to keep track.

Initially, many of the COVID deaths were in the Latinx community, which saw a majority of the cases, but now the numbers have evened out, with 33 deaths of Caucasians topping the 23 Latinx deaths.

A record number of COVID cases in nursing homes is being seen nationwide, prompting the nursing home lobby to ask Congress for financial aid to hire additional staff, conduct testing and buy personal protective equipment.

“Our worst fears have come true as COVID runs rampant among the general population, and long-term care facilities are powerless to fully prevent it from entering due to its asymptomatic and pre-symptomatic spread,” stated Mark Parkinson, president and CEO of American Health Care Association/National Center for Assisted Living, which represents 14,000 facilities across the nation.

Age, Underlying Conditions ursing home residents are typically older adults with multiple chronic conditions, making them most vulnerable to COVID-19, according to the AHCA/NCAL. Hyland’s spreadsheet shows that is true locally.

The most deaths, 27, were among those 90 and above – including some centenarians – then 17 deaths of people in their 80s, eight deaths of people in their 70s, nine deaths of people in their 60s, a handful of deaths of people age 40 to 59, and no deaths of younger people.

Since residents at nursing homes and care facilities are not allowed to leave the premises, health officials believe staff are bringing the virus in.

COVID-19 is so new “I think there’s just a huge learning curve,” Hyland said.

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CVS Delivery ospital workers are first in line to get the COVID vaccine, and Santa Cruz County got 1,950 doses for them on Dec. 15, divided between Dominican Hospital and Watsonville Community Hospital.

Nursing homes will get the vaccine from “a different route,” going through pharmacies such as CVS, Hyland said, noting that she does not have a date yet.

CVS earlier announced plans to hire thousands of workers to help distribute the vaccine.

The lawsuit filed against Watsonville Post Acute noted staff working at multiple facilities, increasing the likelihood the contagious coronavirus would spread.

Hyland said a policy requiring staff to work at only one facility would not work because “people are trying to make ends meet.”

“Many staff do work in several facilities, so when there is an exposure, a notice is sent to all facilities,” she said. “If there is an outbreak at a facility, no new admissions are taken.”

For example, admissions were halted in October at Watsonville Post Acute, but now there are zero cases and the facility currently accepts new residents.

California Department of Public Health, which licenses nursing homes, and California Department of Social Services, which licenses care homes for the elderly, “remain active in trying to mitigate outbreaks.”

Asked about personal protective equipment for nursing homes, Hyland said the county has PPE resources that facilities can tap. N-95 masks must be fit properly to prevent the virus from spreading, and she said the county has offered resources to nursing homes for that since April.

“We are currently contacting facilities and asking them to review those plans and ensure they are following proper infection control measures,” Hyland added. n ••• County COVID Deaths As of Dec. 16 Age 90 and up:............................................. 27 80 to 89:................................................. 17 70 to 79:................................................... 8 60 to 69:................................................... 9 50 to 59:................................................... 2 40 to 49:................................................... 1 Race/Ethnicity White:.................................................... 33 Latinx:................................................... 23 Asian:...................................................... 4 Black:....................................................... 1 Other:..................................................... 1 Unknown:............................................... 2 Underlying Conditions Yes:......................................................... 47 No:......................................................... 17 Skilled Nursing/Residential Care Watsonville Post Acute:...................... 16 Santa Cruz Post Acute:....................... 16 Pacific Coast Manor:........................... 10 Hearts & Hands Post Acute:................ 2 Montecito Manor:.................................. 1 Maple House II:..................................... 1 Total:...................................................... 46 Gender Male:..................................................... 30 Female:.................................................. 34 Source: Santa Cruz County Public Health

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www.tpgonlinedaily.com Aptos Times / December 15th 2020 / 17

BUSINESS PROFILE

Rio Del Mar Dental

By Rosie Alexander Where Silicon Valley and dentistry meet, Rio Del Mar Dental in Aptos is there at the forefront. Local dentist Tod Anderson, D.D.S., studied pre-med as an undergrad, and in the year 2000 moved to Silicon Valley working in tech start-ups in the medical field. He loved the innovation and entrepreneurial nature of his work, and being on the cutting edge of new discoveries.

After working in the tech world, he went to dental school at age 33. In 2009, he bought a dental practice in Aptos, but his love of innovation and start-ups never faded. He loves finding the next best thing in the dental field and bringing it to his patients.

This passion shows in his side project, a website called Curated Dental (www. curateddental.com) that sells high-end personal protective equipment and curates the best home care dental products for individual oral care. and provides directions on how to best use them. He was able to focus on this project Dr. Billy Vainer when the practice closed due to COVID-19 in mid-March.

Another innovation Anderson is working with is a start-up called OrthoFX, which is an off-shoot of Invisalign. OrthoFX is an option for invisible aligners that is completely touchless and can be done from the comfort of your home.

This luxury is even more important now in the time of the coronavirus.

This whole dental experience can be done virtually from an app on your phone.

New Technology To Serve You

Dr. Tod C. Anderson and family in their holiday photo.

With this app, gone are the days of constant dental appointments to refit and mold your invisible braces.

You scan your teeth at home and get a consultation from a dentist via the app to track the movements of your teeth while they align.

Anderson was the third dentist to adopt OrthoFX, and he is proud to be an entrepreneur for dentistry in this field.

He is excited to offer the OralDNA test kits to patients which tests for the risk of cavities and periodontal disease. He will be offering these tests on his website as well as in the office.

Another innovation is coming soon. Anderson is working with a startup company AltWorks, which has made a new chair for home offices, to make it easier for patients who are elderly and those with handicaps to get in and out of. He will be introducing this chair into

18 / December 15th 2020 / Aptos Times www.tpgonlinedaily.com

dental offices; he considers it to be the most advanced chair on the market.

For eight years, Anderson worked without an associate, but that changed a few months ago. His new associate, Dr. Billy Vainer, 35, is an Aptos local who Anderson hopes will be his future partner in the practice.

Anderson appreciates Vainer’s energy and passion for the community. Vainer also helps with dental hygiene appointments for patients.

The past year has been the hardest on record for Rio Del Mar Dental, as it has been for a lot of local businesses. Anderson says he has not been able to pay himself in order to keep down costs and keep the business afloat. The most difficult factor has been that insurance companies have reduced what they pay for treatments.

Since reopening, Anderson reports he has never seen people so excited to go to the dentist. They are happy to be taken care of, and it feels good for him to take care of people.

Rio Del Mar Dental is taking precautions seriously, and going above and beyond the written guidelines to ensure everyone’s safety.

To make sure all the patients come back for their regular appointments, Rio Del Mar Dental has been using software to track appointments that were missed during the COVID closure, and from there the team is able to help the patient reschedule.

Anderson expects a lot of the cleaning and safety protocols put in place by COVID will stay in place even after a vaccine is in widespread use. He wants to keep his team safe from all potential viruses and health concerns going forward, and will require masks to be worn by all staff and patients even after the coronavirus is no longer a concern.

With a new associate in Billy Vainer, Rio Del Mar Dental is ready for you to come back for your regular check-up. Meet Vainer and Anderson at work, and let them help you with your oral hygiene. n ••• Rio Del Mar Dental is at 9520 Soquel Drive, Aptos. Phone: 831-688-1006. Hours are Tuesday and Thursday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., closed for lunch noon to 1 p.m., and Friday 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Appointments can be made online at https://www.riodelmardental.com/

FEATURED COLUMNIST

Pictures From the Past

A Familiar Location T

Photo Essay by Carolyn Swift

he site of the 1963 dedication of the Aptos Post Office at 140 Post Office Drive perplexes many people today who are familiar with the present building at Trout Gulch Road and Cathedral Drive.

That’s because after only a few years, the 1963 structure was judged to have been built at a cliffside location unsafe for a federal building.

Today the Warmth Company is snug in the same site, selling gifts for the holidays.

The newly-opened Betty Burgers at 415 Trout Gulch Road is also familiar to long-time residents as a former post office, built in 1949.

After it ceased to be a post office, the structure became the home of the Central County News, edited

by Lucile Aldrich, known as the “mayor” of Aptos. n

Aptos Post Office, Circa 1963 • Photo courtesy Carolyn Swift

www.tpgonlinedaily.com Aptos Times / December 15th 2020 / 19

COMMUNITY NEWS

Gentle Exams & Cleanings to Cosmetic, Restorative & Implant Dentistry The Quality and Service Your Family Deserves from Our Family

TOD C. ANDERSON, DDS

TUESDAY - THURSDAY: 8:00AM-5:30PM FRIDAY: 8:00AM-3:00PM SATURDAY: BY APPOINTMENTS ONLY

9520 SOQUEL DRIVE APTOS, CA 95003

www.riodelmardental.com

831-688-1006

EMPOWERING STUDENTS TO SHAPE THEIR FUTURES WITH CONFIDENCE.

Achieving a Dream: Daniel’s Story A s tough as this year has been, Dientes Community Dental Care celebrated Dec. 7, welcoming Daniel Uriostegui, once a patient – now a registered dental hygienist.

His journey to becoming a hygienist began at age 10, with his first visit to Dientes.

“I was nervous but remember being so impressed at how friendly everyone was and how they took their time to explain everything to me,” he recalled. “I knew, then, that I wanted to do something in the dental field.”

After graduating from Harbor High, Uriostegui ultimately went through Monterey Peninsula College’s one-year dental assisting program. There he learned about opportunities at Dientes, interning there until he graduated from Monterey Peninsula College in 2016. This enabled him to get his first job at Dientes as a part-time, temporary dental assistant.

Dientes Chief Dental Officer Dr. Sepi Taghvaei said, “Daniel’s determination helped him work his way up from an

intern to a registered dental assistant and now to hygienist.”

Committed to his goal, Uriostegui took the extra steps to work at Dientes as an on-call dental assistant while going through the nearly three-year, full-time Cabrillo Dental Hygiene program.

Excited about his first day as a hygienist, Uriostegui advises others, “If you are willing to sacrifice and work hard, there are amazing things you can accomplish. I even met my fiancée at Dientes! I can’t thank them enough for the opportunity to grow.”

Yari Alvarado, Watsonville clinic manager who has worked 16 years at Dientes, said, “I remember Daniel coming into the clinic as a patient, so young … and look at him now! We are so proud!” n ••• Dientes provides comprehensive, affordable dental care for 10,000 low-income patients a year. Dientes accept interns in many roles; for internship and career opportunities, go to www.dientes.org/jobs.

Kirby School is an independent college preparatory day school in Santa Cruz for grades 6-12.

Join us at an upcoming virtual Admissions event to learn more about our exceptional college prep program and online-only option for high school.

Events are hosted on Zoom.

To sign up, visit kirby.org/register

KIRBY.ORG

425 Encinal Street | Santa Cruz, CA 95060

20 / December 15th 2020 / Aptos Times www.tpgonlinedaily.com

Dientes Registered Dental Hygienist Daniel Uriostegui is ready for his first patient.

COMMUNITY NEWS

Santa Cruz SPCA Opens New Shelter

Firsts to be Shared on Social Channels; Grand Opening Expected in 2021

A

t long last, the nonprofit Santa Cruz SPCA has a new shelter, newly built at 2601 Chanticleer Ave., and animals and staff have started to move in.

“We are thrilled beyond measure to be moving into our beautiful new forever home,” said Ali Talley, executive director of Santa Cruz SPCA. “After many years of planning and much hard work, we have finally made our dream of a new home a reality. In this new facility we will be able to save many more animals, expand our life-saving programs, and engage even more fully with our community.”

“Due to COVID-19, we are unable to have the joyful public celebrations that we planned,” she added, “but we look forward to celebrating with the community when safe to do so next year. In the meantime, we’ll be sharing all of our special ‘firsts’ on social channels and on our website — first adoption at the new facility, first dog play group, first group of cats living in the community cat room, and much more.

Small, appropriately distanced tours will

be available by appointment starting in January.”

The new Santa Cruz SPCA facility is 7,092 square feet — nearly six times the size of the former site.

The shelter features 3,500 square feet of modern animal habitats that support best practices in animal rescue; multiple indoor and outdoor dog exercise areas; enclosed “catios” and a cat group room; dedicated dog and cat get-acquainted rooms; separate spaces for adoption and intake/surrender; dedicated isolation rooms for animal care and recovery; a 750-square-foot multipurpose community room; and 700 square feet for administrative use.

“On behalf of the Board of Directors, I want to express my profound gratitude to the extraordinary staff, volunteers, donors, and community members who made this day possible,” said Moira Gagen, Santa Cruz SPCA board president. “It’s been a very long journey, with many obstacles to overcome — from COVID-19 restrictions to unexpected site complications — but as ‘The

Agape Dance Academy’s Nutcracker Ballet at Boardwalk Drive-In

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elanie Useldinger, founder of Agape Dance Academy, is staging Nutcracker Ballet, Covid-style, as a movie to be viewed at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk drive-in theater shows the evenings of Dec. 18-20.

She hopes to create beautiful memories of triumphant times in the challenging year of 2020.

Rebecca Hallock is Clara, Ian McHatton is the Nutcracker Prince and Aly Ely is the Sugar Plum Fairy in this holiday production, which features dozens of dancers as sweets and gingersnaps and Rebecca Hallock is Clara, Ian McHatton is the Nutcracker Prince the famous Snow Waltz and and Aly Ely is the Sugar Plum Fairy in the Agape Ballet’s 2020 Nutcracker movie.

Waltz of the Flowers.

Showtimes will be 5:30 p.m.

Tickets, which are $45 per car at and again at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Saturday https://events.eventgroove.com/event/ and Sunday.

Nutcracker-At-The-Santa-Cruz-BeachBoardwalk-45565, and will benefit Jacob’s Heart and Agape Dance Foundation Inc. n ••• www.agapedance.com

Photos courtesy Santa Cruz SPCA

The new Santa Cruz SPCA shelter, with its blue exterior, is easy to recognize.

Little Shelter That Could,’ we persevered through it all, and have finally arrived at this major new chapter in our history.”

The builder was Bogard Construction, Inc. of Santa Cruz. The architect was Animal Arts of Boulder, Colorado, a firm exclusively focused on design of animal care facilities.

Santa Cruz County approved the building permit application in January 2019. Groundbreaking took place the next month.

Construction was temporarily halted in spring 2020 due to COVID-19 protocols,

then resumed under strict new protocols.

The county completed all approvals and signed off on the project in November.

The Santa Cruz SPCA has a long history, dating to 1938 when Dr. Charles Edward Graves, the first veterinarian in the county to treat small animals, donated a piece of land for a shelter. n ••• Hours of the Santa Cruz SPCA shelter at 2601 Chanticleer Ave., Santa Cruz, are: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday; closed Mondays. Phone: 831-465-5000. Website: www.spcasc.org

www.tpgonlinedaily.com Aptos Times / December 15th 2020 / 21

BUSINESS PROFILE

Curves Aptos

Workouts to Stay Healthy Despite Everything

Z

By Rosie Alexander

oom isn’t just for boring business meetings, you can also enjoy at home workouts from your Curves in Aptos.

Curves owner Annette Hunt says her videos have struck a chord with the community because her workouts cater to an older audience, as opposed to a lot of workouts online that are faster paced and geared for a younger clientele.

Annette’s videos are for all athletic abilities, because she says we all need the exercise for “the body, mind, and soul.”

When the global pandemic shut everything down back in mid-March, Annette wanted to make sure her Curves community stayed connected. After the closure, Annette and her staff called every single client to check in.

She wanted to create a program that people could do from home and connect with one another so her members could have accountability and maintain healthy lifestyles.

At first, Annette offered free 30-minute Facebook workouts six days a week, which she continued until Curves reopened in

June. Annette is passionate about not letting a single person lose progress and to get people up off the couch.

After reopening the physical space in June with appropriate precautions, Annette set out to create online membership options for her clients. Now she has Zoom workouts where members are able to talk to each other and work with Annette on a more personal level.

Even if you miss a live class, each video is put up on a private YouTube channel for members to watch at any time. These videos and Zoom workouts can be accessed by members who just want the virtual workouts plus monthly phone call check-in ($25 a month), while their premium members ($69 a month) can come into the physical location and participate in the new online offerings, plus receive personal coaching throughout their workout.

Curves’ goal is to educate its members and give them the techniques necessary to succeed in life in a healthy way. Annette has a passion for fitness and nutrition, having studied dietetics at UC Davis and then teaching Jazzercise for six years. Annette, just like Curves, wants to make sure her members have a well-rounded approach to their health.

“You need exercise for life,” Annette says, and that is true for all her members, from the youngest at 17 to the oldest at 86.

Annette’s heart for her members is clear in everything she does. She knows every person by name and sincerely cares about their needs. In these uncertain times the No. 1 priority is safety, and Annette is committed to making every effort to ensure that everyone is safe, healthy and happy.

Curves has many longtime members, some for 15 years or more.

Sue Kelly, a member for 17 years, says, “I appreciate Curves, it keeps me on track. I have health problems … I would not go to a regular gym.”

Member Susan Kronick says, “Curves has made a difference in Photo Credit: Rosie Alexander my strength, my flexibility, and my Curves members Susan Kronich (left) and Sue Kelly bring a balance … Because I don’t want to positive mindset to their workouts. fall and break anything. Three years 22 / December 15th 2020 / Aptos Times www.tpgonlinedaily.com

Annette Hunt (left), owner of Curves Aptos, checks in with a member. ago I underwent heart valve transplant surgery and I got up and around after five days.”

Since closing in March, Curves in Aptos has lost 40 percent of the members.

Right now the physical location is open only three days a week because that is what Annette finds sustainable. She understands the financial struggle the coronavirus and subsequent unemployment has created for many households, but she appreciates the members who support her and her business despite the hardships.

Some members are still supporting Curves even when they aren’t coming in or using the new online workouts, for which Annette is extremely grateful.

Photo Credit: Rosie Alexander

Annette loves giving back to the community, whether it’s the Second Harvest Food Bank, or the annual Walk to End Alzheimer’s. Right now Curves members are participating in one of the Santa Cruz Holiday Stars program, where members can “Adopt A Family” and buy Christmas presents for a family in need.

Remember to keep supporting your local businesses and to stay healthy, and check out the membership opportunities at your local Curves. n ••• Curves Aptos is located at 7000 Soquel Drive, Aptos. Hours are Monday, Wednesday and Friday 6 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 4–5:30 p.m.

Phone: (831) 688-2348

Social distancing protocols are observed at Curves Aptos.

Photo Credit: Rosie Alexander

FEATURED COLUMNIST

Customers Shop Local — But …

W

e pride ourselves on our local community, on how we support small businesses and how a small business is the backbone of our identity, that if it weren’t for our mutual connection b e t w e e n independent businesses and us locals, that the big corporate giants will take over and wipe our ethnocentric-Santa-Cruzian persona off the face of the planet.

Well, let’s challenge ourselves!

For customers who feel we have integrity in our support of local business, we need to ask ourselves what we’re willing to accept?

But the Price: Will we accept higher prices, because a smaller local business cannot buy in huge bulk quantities like a warehouse store. This leads to higher prices. Will we also accept higher prices

By Ron Kustek

because a local business cares more about our local employees and pays them higher wages than a big-box national brand?

But the Products: Will we expect a local business to stock the full breadth of brands (often from China, stored in a huge robotic warehouse) that we see online instead of products the local business feels is the highest quality for the community?

Will we only buy what we see in our Instagram feed of paid talking heads (yeah, that’s what an influencer really is). Don’t think any local business can afford to pay for international YouTube “influencers” in their cost structure.

But the Promotions: You may find a better price online because that location isn’t paying an extreme price to rent from a landlord who is likely profiting from the recent tax breaks? You likely shared that in some post. And did you not buy locally because the local store didn’t email/text you a paltry 10% off coupon (because you didn’t give the local store owner your email or text info due to “privacy” but gave

it up so easily to an online multi-national corporation) … please, can we seriously be bought that easily?

But the Place: OK, so during these times we’re trying to socially distance and stay safe — often with our own definitions of what that means. And yes, I’d rather sit on my couch or comfy chair to surf the web for the best price from a company that can afford to pay for shipping (from my annual fees of about $10/month) so that they can promise me 2-day shipping — when in reality, it varies from 2-11 days

— but it shows up at my door and I don’t have to take a shower, dress, drive or walk and then talk to another human). If we all really wanted to support our local shops, we would also use sites such as www. shopnow.org This is THE local platform that identifies what you want that is instock from a participating local business.

I fully support them - even though they haven’t quite yet been able to perfect their algorithms.

“Shop Local, But ...” page 26

www.tpgonlinedaily.com Aptos Times / December 15th 2020 / 23

I

FEATURED COLUMNIST

How To Fix Any Customer Service Problem n a perfect world, caring employees would quickly fix your customer service problems.

We don’t live in a perfect world.

That’s the reason I started writing Problem Solved, a customer service advice column. The premise is simple: Every week, I take a seemingly unsolvable customer service problem — and solve it.

And there are a lot of problems. The Federal Trade Commission received 3.2 million complaints in 2019, an increase of 200,000 complaints from a year before.

It’s just a small fraction of the consumer problems in North America.

The steps to fixing a customer service problem are simple: • Read the fine print before you buy.

• Contact the company and go follow their guidelines.

• Appeal your case.

• Find an outside advocate.

• Use the “nuclear” option or go to court.

If you follow the process, chances are you’ll never have to contact me or darken the door of a courtroom. So before we go on, a word of advice: Please don’t skip any of the following steps: 1. Know what you’re buying Sounds obvious, right? But it isn’t.

Only 1 percent of consumers read the terms and conditions of their purchase, according to a recent survey by ProPrivacy.com.

Lawyers hide things in the fine print. You may be giving up your rights to a refund or to return the product if you aren’t happy.

Unfortunately, ignorance of the rules isn’t a defense. By checking the “I accept” button or signing your name, you’ve agreed to the rules -- whether you’ve read and understood them or not. So before you sign on the dotted line, read the fine print.

Then read it again. You can thank me later.

Even though these agreements are what’s known as adhesion contracts, meaning you have no ability to modify the terms of the agreement, it’s better to understand what you are accepting before going any further.

Of course, the best way to solve a consumer problem is to ensure you never have one. So the key to fixing a customer service problem is to familiarize yourself with the product or service you’re buying -- particularly the fine print.

By Christopher Elliott

2. Get in touch with the company Step two — also frequently overlooked — is giving the company a chance to fix the problem. That means returning to the store or going through the customer service department.

In at least half of the cases I receive as a consumer advocate, the consumer has not given the company a chance to make things right.

The best way to do that is in writing.

Why? Because you have a record of the grievance, and you can forward that record to a supervisor, a lawyer, or a consumer advocate. By the way, time is not on your side. The sooner you contact the company, the better your chances of a successful resolution. Warranties have limits, and after several years, companies delete customer records.

3. Send a brief, polite appeal to a supervisor The system isn’t perfect. Sometimes a legitimate complaint will slip through the cracks. By this time, many customers have started a social-media shaming campaign, which may ultimately hurt their chances of getting the resolution they want. But you still have another remedy: Escalating your case to a manager or a supervisor.

Companies often train their call center employees to tell you there’s no supervisor -- but there’s always a supervisor. My nonprofit consumer advocacy site publishes the names, numbers and email addresses of the managers online. Send a friendly appeal to one of them and include the company’s previous written correspondence, especially your customer ID and your order number. That will help them find the relevant transaction and hopefully fix it.

4. Find outside help If the company won’t help you, it’s time to enlist an outside group’s help. A neutral third party can help you break an impasse if the company doesn’t fix your customer service problem. Outside groups can include medical advocates, mediabased advocates such as a TV station’s “On Your Side” segment, or a nonprofit organization like mine, Elliott Advocacy.

You’ll want to approach an advocate in the same way you’ve gone through channels so far. Send a short email outlining your problem. You may need to fill out a form to receive help.

24 / December 15th 2020 / Aptos Times www.tpgonlinedaily.com

Don’t overload the organization with information. Just give it the facts and let them ask for more information if needed.

Many aggrieved customers like to write lengthy emails describing how the failed customer service interaction made them feel.

Please resist that temptation. It lessens the credibility of your case.

5. Take it to a higher authority If all else fails, contact law enforcement authorities or an attorney and go to court if necessary to resolve your customer service problem. Before you do, there’s one last solution, which I like to call the nuclear option. If you paid by credit card, you may be able to dispute your charges under the Fair Credit Billing Act. Contact your bank or credit card for details. If your bank sides with you, you’ll receive a provisional credit, which is made permanent when the dispute closes.

You can get law enforcement involved without having to go to court. For example, if you have a complaint about an airline ticket, you can file a grievance with the Department of Transportation and, if that fails, sue the airline in small claims court as long as the amount of your claim is eligible, which depends on the state. You can represent yourself in small claims court, so there’s no need to contact an attorney. For other types of complaints, a letter from a lawyer might be all it takes to get the company to do the right thing. But in the end, you may have to go to court to get a wrong righted.

••• How can Problem Solved help? roblem Solved is the product of decades of consumer advocacy. I began helping fix customer service problems in the late ‘90s. I contacted airlines, hotels and travel

P

agencies and negotiated refunds on behalf of aggrieved customers.

In 2010, I wrote a book called Scammed: How to Save Your Money and Find Better Service in a World of Schemes, Swindles, and Shady Deals. I began to receive all kinds of requests for help — and Problem Solved was born.

I started to receive so many requests for help that I founded a nonprofit organization called Elliott Advocacy that helps people with their consumer problems every day. Our mission is to empower consumers to solve their problems and help those who can’t. So if you’ve run into a problem that you can’t solve, please contact us. My advocacy team and I will do our best to help you.

Problem Solved doesn’t cover every case I receive. Instead, I write about problems that affect many consumers and offer helpful consumer advice for everyone. The featured cases are always fascinating and commentworthy, but they also help you become a smarter consumer.

By following my advice for fixing any customer service problem, you’ll probably never need my consumer organization’s services. Even if you forget everything I’ve said and only remember step 1 — to read the terms and conditions — you’ll avoid 90 percent of all customer service problems.

But just in case, I’m always here for you. n ••• Christopher Elliott’s latest book is “How To Be The World’s Smartest Traveler” (National Geographic). Elliott Advocacy is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit consumer advocacy organization that empowers consumers to solve their problems and helps those who can’t. Get help by contacting him at www.elliott.org/help

COMMUNITY NEWS

SCCB Announces New President/CEO S anta Cruz County Bank, a top-rated community bank with assets of $1.4 billion, has tapped Krista Snelling to be president and CEO starting March 1, succeeding David Heald, who has been at the helm since 2006.

She comes from Five Star Bank, a $2 billion award-winning community business bank in Sacramento, where she has been executive vice president, chief operating officer and chief financial officer for almost four years.

Krista Snelling Before that, she was CFO for four years at Inspire Communities, which develops and manages manufactured home communities and RV resorts, and CFO at Five Star Bank for three-and-a-half years. Five Star Bank was founded in 1999.

Chairman William J. Hansen noted her “nearly 25 years of strategic financial and operational expertise,” adding, “As a board, we look forward to working with Krista and feel confident she will execute on our strategic plan.”

Snelling follows in the footsteps of Sandi Eason, who was president and CEO

at Coast Commercial Bank for a two-year stint before it was acquired by Wells Fargo, Carrie Birkhofer, president and CEO of Bay Federal Credit Union since 1989, and Beth Carr, president and CEO of Santa Cruz Community Credit Union since 2011.

Founded in 2004, locally owned Santa Cruz County Bank has been a top Small Business Administration lender, serving the ag community, acquiring local competitor Lighthouse Bank and expanding into Silicon Valley and most recently expanding into Monterey County, growing to 150 employees.

In February, Snelling received the Nancy Hotchkiss Woman of Impact Award from the Commercial Real Estate Women Sacramento networking group.

The Sacramento Business Journal chose her as one of the 2020 Women Who Mean Business, noting that during her tenure, assets at Five Star Bank quadrupled in a decade, branches were added and the number of employees doubled to 140. In 2019, she was recognized as one of the top CFOs by the Sacramento Business Journal.

Snelling welcomed the opportunity to lead Santa Cruz County Bank, noting the “talented team of employees” at the bank.

“I thank the Board of Directors for placing their confidence in me and recognize this

financial institution is highly respected as an arbiter of growth and economic development in the tri-county region,” she said. “I look forward to building upon the proven success of this organization while connecting with all of our employees and customers as we advance a culture of community engagement.”

She graduated from the University of the Pacific with a double major in mathematics and economics and earned a master’s degree in economics at UC Davis.

A licensed Certified Public Accountant, she was a manager at Arthur Andersen and KMPG Audit early in her career.

She is vice chair of the board of the Sacramento Food Bank and Family Services and on the Advisory Board of the Eberhardt School of Business at the University of the Pacific where she is a frequent guest lecturer.

Krista and her husband, Edmund, are relocating to the Santa Cruz area along with their two children. n

Year in Review

Jan. 3 Deadline to Apply for Measure D Oversight Committee

T

he Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission is seeking individuals interested in becoming members or alternates of its citizen advisory committees. There are currently vacancies on the Measure D Taxpayer Oversight Committee, Bicycle Advisory Committee and Elderly & Disabled Transportation Advisory Committee.

The deadline to apply to the Measure D Taxpayer Oversight Committee is Jan. 3.

Citizen committees advise the commission on critical transportation-related issues, policies, plans, programs, and projects that affect the entire community.

The Measure D Taxpayer Oversight Committee is an independent oversight committee tasked with reviewing how the funds generated by the Measure D transportation tax are being spent. Committee members review Expenditure Plan expenditures on an annual basis to ensure they conform to the Ordinance.

The Bicycle Advisory Committee advises on bicycle-related issues and

coordinates with local jurisdictions and bicycle-related organizations to promote cycling projects and programs.

Members of the committee review proposed bicycle-related policies, programs, projects, plans, funding applications, and legislation.

The Elderly & Disabled Transportation Advisory Committee works with the RTC to identify and meet transportation needs of people living with disabilities, senior citizens, and low-income communities.

Members of the committee review and guide the planning of specialized transportation programs, propose methods of using transportation to integrate the elderly and disabled population into the community, and serve as transportation advocates on the behalf of the elderly and disabled.

Applications for the advisory committees are accepted on an ongoing basis. n ••• For more information or an application, visit https://sccrtc.org/committees or call 831460-3200 or info@sccrtc.org .

ACROSS

1. *New wardrobe accessory 5. *RIP, ____ 8. Flock’s echo 12. Reply from a tunnel?

13. Feline noise 14. Edward Teller’s “baby” 15. Beat 16. Competently 17. Savory jelly 18. *Blue vs. red competition 20. One third of a threepiece suit 21. Mailed greetings 22. Long time

23. ____ biloba 26. Anointing oil 30. Nurses’ org.

31. Leafy vegetable 34. “Cogito, ____ sum” 35. Mooring spots 37. Bring into play 38. Old Brazilian coins 39. Prefix with ‘graph’ 40. *Joe’s running mate 42. PGA peg 43. What bees did 45. Fixes firmly 47. Summer mo.

48. R in NPR 50. Widespread 52. *WHO’s March announcement 55. Cliffside dwelling 56. Drop-off spot 57. Sonic sound

59. Sports figures, e.g.

60. Persian backgammon 61. Water carrier 62. *Late basketball legend 63. *____ lightning, cause of California wildfires 64. X-ray units

10. Do like exhaust pipe 11. *”Transplant” network 13. ____ of honor 14. It’s often wreaked 19. Zoo enclosures 22. Compass dir.

23. Labored breaths 24. *Jared Kushner to DOWN Donald Trump 1. Copy cats 25. Nigerian money 2. Flu symptom 26. Part of an eye 3. Synagogue 27. About to explode 4. 1/100th of a ruble 28. Looked at, 5. Bid again amorously 6. Western neckwear, pl. 29. Smelling organs 7. Gwyneth, to friends 32. Two of the same 8. *Like a vote during 33. Philosopher’s study lockdown 36. *Best Picture Oscar9. What Joy Mangano winner does on TV 38. China grass

40. Party barrel 41. Having a cover 44. *What Zoom host does to guests, sometimes 46. Type of jacket 48. “M*A*S*H” character 49. Ticked off 50. *President Trump used this power in 2020 51. United ____ Emirates 52. Be undecided 53. *Caucus state 54. Like most universities 55. Pose a question 58. Robinson or Doubtfire © Statepoint Media

Answers on 31 »

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The New Bethlehem Star — Jupiter/Saturn in Aquarius

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Esoteric Astrology • December Mid-Month 2020 • By Risa D’Angeles

veryone’s talking and writing about it. The Aquarian Age. The great star event. The Jupiter/Saturn Great conjunction in Aquarius. The Christmas Star. The Bethlehem Star. The Aquarian Age, the new era (finally!).

On Winter Solstice, Monday, December 21, 2020, at 1:21pm (east coast), Jupiter (planet of beneficence, love and wisdom) and Saturn (teacher of new structures and new realities), come together at 0-point Aquarius.

Jupiter is knowledge & wisdom. Saturn is time and discipline. The two are great pals working together to heralding the new era of Aquarian freedom and liberty, balancing humanity’s social endeavors. They are also the planets of Justice and the Law. The Jupiter/Saturn Grand conjunction (two planets coming together, same sign and degree in the heavens) is a profound move forward for humanity. It is actually epochal. It will reorganize the existing structures, and bring forth “all things unique and new, bright, shiny and liberated”for humanity. Aquarius is the present/ future, it’s the sign of humanity setting forth into new lands with

ARIES Your professional life will become very focused, as you become more and more hardworking. You will seek success, for both self and others around you and for the world. You will magnetize people who share your same unique views, groups who hold the same ideals about the new world. You will become more committed to projects with social purpose. You will develop leadership qualities which is your destiny. Know that you are always good enough.

TAURUS You will assess your life’s goals, the efforts you’ve previously put forth constructing and bringing forth a sense of fairness and justice. Now you will consider what new long-term projects are needed, defining your abilities, ambitions into all you hope to achieve. You have known about these times and now you are prepared. Others will look to you for direction. All your efforts of assisting the many will not be in vain. You are a wisdom keeper.

GEMINI Every sign is built around a certain core principle.

Your’s is intelligent love. The signs work through planets. Gemini works through Mercury, so you’re the messenger.

Then through Venus, planet of intelligent love. In the coming times, Jupiter will offer you new knowledge, asking you to leave the past beliefs behind, and come to a new sense of reality. Saturn will provide the system of restructuring your mind. Know that all you thought to be true, isn’t. Have courage. A new narrative is about to begin.

CANCER A new life direction of commitment begins for you.

What will you be committed to? So often you lived like a monk wondering about spiritual philosophies. You were committed to a spiritual path, always seeking to know what the real truth was. A new social identity will appear and new projects. Something ends, as something new begins. A culmination of the past presents itself. You reach out to others, form new relationships. You have been lovely these past years.

a new sense of freedom. A great awakening will begin to occur within humanity, the awakening of love and wisdom within humanity’s hearts and minds.

Aquarius calls forth all the talents and gifts (Leo) of humanity, asking us to create the future we have dreamed about, a future of freedom and liberty and built of beauty where community and the livingness around us becomes pivotal and paramount.

Jupiter tells us, Love underlies all the happenings of the times.”

On Winter Solstice this year we can look to the heavens and see the combined sacred light of Jupiter and Saturn and know a new spiritual light is beginning to shine in the world and that it symbolizes that something is coming, something new and bright is about to precipitate and awaken all the people’s and nations of the world. Looking up we see the new Bethlehem Star. A new holy golden age is about to begin.

(Note: I have written much more about the Jupiter/Saturn alignment, more than can be contained here. Read more on my daily FB

LEO Jupiter and Saturn together helps establish new loving boundaries and structures in all relationships, interactions and partnerships. Jupiter brings a new expression of love in your life.

Saturn asks that you assess the boundaries within relationships and partnerships. Jupiter, with great wisdom, will ease all difficulties. There may be a decision to marry or separate. You will find close kindred spirits, a new social circle, and people who recognize and admire you for your kindness and compassion. We see you, Leo. VIRGO You will seek a healthy well-balanced harmony in your mental, emotions and physical life You will demand simplicity so you can strengthen all your core ideals and values. Wanting to gain control of the present, you recognize areas where you can be more responsible, where you can improve yourself. You decide for one year to create Goodwill in all areas of life. This is a new discipline for you.

It will bring you the deepest richest good fortune.

LIBRA You find that you value practical accomplishments along with the arts. You have a vision that empowers your daily life. You work hard each day helping humanity and friendships and the arts; you reset your vitality and your ability to build anew. Your creativity is broadened, expanded during this time and well into the future. You learn from others and help others learn from you. You innovate with childlike wonder. Your love of others sets everyone (you, others) free.

SCORPIO Home and family, things nurturing and nourishing are the focus for your health and well-being.

You will ask what makes me happy? What does family life mean to me? You will begin dedicating yourself to creating a new foundation, while also preserving traditions, keepsakes, photos, memories and history. All the while creating new traditions. You may begin to plant trees this coming new Aquarian year. The ‘roots’ of your chart are showing. This is the house of early childhood. You will remember those early times. And come to cherish them.

•••

SAGITTARIUS It will be important to you to get to know everyone around you in more depth, attempt to connect to people, see how their minds work and look at their lives as fascinating. Your curiosity will stimulate you to new creative endeavors and your heart will become more intelligent, more loving.

You have lots to say to yourself and to everyone. Walk the neighborhoods of where you live, seek out siblings, create a family newsletter, relearn how to write letters by hand.

Learn the art of calligraphy. It focuses the mind.

CAPRICORN A new sense of self-worth comes about, a new seeking for comfort and security. You understand the true value of things. And beautiful things attract you.

You honor all elders, knowing they hold within themselves valuable information. You want all assets to be stable so you can feel safe. You may not need much materially, but you do need comfort. You’re grounded, easy to be with, serene and poised. You like chocolates, books, things familiar, gold and crystals. We like you a lot.

AQUARIUS The world becomes your home and the times of change have a strong effect on your life. These are the times you have been waiting for. You are more able to identify with your sign of Aquarius. All things beneficent will expand in your life along with new structures and needed disciplines.

Aquarian innovative energies will flow through you into the world. You are courageous, a free thinker with a strong body that needs and enjoys lots of movement. Many can’t keep up with you. You’re independent. You’re from the future. Make sure to have lots of mirrors around.

PISCES The Aquarian era will be one of dreams, visions and everything one can bring forth from the imagination. Music and art will play their part in your life. You become more and more private, standing behind veils, hiding a bit. Other worlds and dimensions will be sensed. Mysteries will yield themselves up to you. You will need more solitude to regenerate and untangle yourself from the fabric of the world. Things will dissolve and then appear, as past lives appear. You are curious, at ease in these worlds. Your kingdom is colorful.

Risa D’Angeles • www.nightlightnews.org • risagoodwill@gmail.com 26 / December 15th 2020 / Aptos Times www.tpgonlinedaily.com

“Shop Local, But ...” from page 23 ••• For business owner who expect that as long as you just open an independent business in Santa Cruz County, that magically customers will appear … you still have to do the work.

But to Compete: Communicate and market the reason why anyone should buy from you. Realize that you have to devote EVERY part of your external marketing and your internal operation to what makes you better, special and different. And please, don’t say you have the highest quality at the lowest price … yawn. Everyone’s heard that before.

But my Culture: Do you care enough about your customers that you train your employees and help them when they face issues that are new to them, whether by phone, online or in person? Do you commit to spending time to help them find the answers and the words to help them be their best representative of your business?

But my Commitment: If you wake every morning reluctantly to face your own business, simply get out. Sell. And if there are no buyers, than quit. If your heart isn’t in it, then that will show in EVERY aspect.

You won’t do building improvements, website upgrades, employee training, long-term investing in your quality brand.

You know who you are …

But to Captivate: If you listened to your customers, they’d likely say, “Take me where I’ve never been.” This is essential in defining why you’re in business in the first place! We live in an entertainment culture.

If we’re not being stimulated by our sense of smell, or visually or audibly, then we’re not paying attention. Or paying money for anything.

But to Connect: Go through your files of the hundreds or thousands of customers who have bought from you.

You can simply sort what their favorite products are. When they buy. How much they spend. When they last bought.

What their other interests are. If you’re a business owner without ready access to this information and your eyes are glazing over — get into the 21st century of small business technology because it’s already 20% over!

••• Well, there you have it. We’re all in this together as business owners and consumers, each willing to exchange value for value. The point is, if we are truly committed to acting local, then we should all be BUT-less. n ••• Ron Kustek is a former senior marketing executive of The Coca-Cola Co. and entrepreneur who is currently a business instructor at Cabrillo College. Contact him at RoKustek@ Cabrillo.edu

www.tpgonlinedaily.com Aptos Times / December 15th 2020 / 27

COMMUNITY CALENDAR ANNOUNCEMENTS SANTA’S MAILBOX! The Aptos Chamber of Commerce has posted a red mailbox for families to drop off their letters to Santa Claus.

The red mailbox is next to the green outside New Leaf Community Market in Aptos Village.

Be sure to drop them off by Dec. 23 so he has time to read them!

Have a virtual or live event you want to promote?

Send your information to info@cyber-times.com by Dec. 24 Beginning, intermediate, intermediate 2, advanced and conversation.

Beginners and Intermediates will engage twice a week, Mondays and Thursdays; one-hour sessions are offered mornings and evenings. All other classes meet once per week for 90 minutes.

Spots are limited. Classes cost $185-$235 for a 10-week session. Members get a $35 discount.

Consider becoming a member. To register for classes, visit www.dantesantacruz.com.

For questions, email dantesantacruz1265@gmail.com.

tious Fish & Chips (condiment sauce); Teresa’s Salsas (fresh salsas); The Green Waffle (assorted flavors of waffles); Wargin Wines (local bottle of wine); That Garlic Stuff (garlic sauce).

Protective masks must be worn, and social distancing protocols will be followed. Those who visit the store can participate in a raffle of three gift boxes.

Shoppers also can order gift boxes at epcdc. square.site, and curbside pickup is available.

For information, email kitchen@elpajarocdc.org.

Showtimes will be 5:30 p.m. and again at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Tickets, which are $45 per car at https://events.eventgroove. com/event/Nutcracker-At-The-Santa-Cruz-BeachBoardwalk-45565, will benefit Jacob’s Heart and Agape Dance Foundation Inc. www.agapedance.com

Monday January 11 thru Tuesday January 12

CALIFORNIA KING TIDES Starts around 7 a.m. Monday / Ends around 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Various locations in Santa Cruz County “King Tides� are high tides that occur when the gravitational pull of the sun and the moon are in alignment.

PAJARO VALLEY CHAMBER UNVEILS When these tides happen at the same time as stormy HOLIDAY SHOPPING CONTEST weather, water levels can rise even higher.

The PV Chamber invites the community to support California King Tides are coming to Santa Cruz local businesses this holiday season with a contest Friday December 18 DATED EVENTS County! King Tides mean the highest tides of the year, full of fabulous thru Sunday December 20 but also the lowest, most dramatic negative tides. prizes provided by Friday December 18 AGAPE DANCE ACADEMY’S NUTCRACKER BALLET local businesses.

These extreme low tides pose prime conditions for tide KITCHEN POP-UP SALES One entry per 5:30 p.m. & 7:30 p.m., Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk Drive-In pooling, miles of beach walking, and extended beach 3-7 p.m., 23 E. Beach St., Watsonville purchase — so exploration.

Theater the more you shop and dine at local participating El Pajaro Community Development’s commercial Melanie Useldinger, founder of Agape Dance Academy, https://www.santacruz.org/blog/mark-your-calendar-californiabusinesses, the more chances you have to win. kitchen will host a popup sale for holiday is staging Nutcracker Ballet, king-tides-are-coming/ n Enter at participating businesses or drop off shopping.

Covid-style, as a movie to your proof of purchase/receipt with your name Participants include: Cali Dawg Vegan (assorted be viewed at the Boardwalk and phone number to the Chamber office before vegan hot dogs); El Pajaro CDC Honey (local drive-in theater shows the evenings of Dec. 18-20.

January 4 . honey); El Pajaro CDC jam (organic jam); Hidden She hopes to create beautiful memories of triumphant A list of participating businesses is on the Chamber’s times in the challenging year of 2020.

Facebook and Instagram pages and www.pajarovalleychamber. Fortress (freshly roasted coffee); Il Biscotto (Italian cookies); Mary’s Fruit Tarts (shortbread com.

Rebecca Hallock is Clara, Ian McHatton is the cookies); Monterey Baking (handmade croissants); Nutcracker Prince and Aly Ely is the Sugar Plum Fairy Agropacific (quinoa); My Mom’s Mole (dry mole ITALIAN CLASSES BEGIN IN JANUARY in this holiday production, which features dozens of mix); Rogue Pye (assorted pies); Santa Cruz Beginning Jan. 25, the Dante Alighieri Society dancers as sweets and gingersnaps and the famous Balsamics (flavored balsamic vinegars); Scrump- Snow Waltz and Waltz of the Flowers. of Santa Cruz will offer Italian classes online:

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Wishing All a Safe & Peaceful Holiday Season

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COMMUNITY NEWS

Year-Round Farmers’ Markets Offer Plenty

A

By Nicole Zahm

• The Midway Santa Cruz – seasonal breakfast meals and bites – super fresh and creative.

• Scrumptious Fish and Chips – in all kinds of arrangements.

• India Gourmet – vegetarian, vegan and meat naan wraps, curries, rice, samosas, chutneys and chai.

• Tía Beré – tostadas, chile relleno, any meal burritos, soup, quesadilla, tacos, salsa, aguas frescas and more.

• RoliRoti Gourmet Rotisserie – rotisserie chickens, potatoes, ribs, carnitas and other indulgences.

• NahNa – traditional Eritrean cuisine with a twist: homemade Taita flatbread, stews, fresh vegetables and a variety of meat and non-meat options • Dos Hermanos Pupuseria – Salvadoran pupusas, meat and vegetarian, with Social distancing is curtido and salsas.

• Cuevas Express – required at the local tamales, chile relleno, farmers markets. nachos and other Mexican dishes.

• Delicious Crepes – savory and dessert crepes.

• Bakeries – a huge assortment of fresh breads, croissants, cookies, savory quiches and mind-blowing treats at Companion Bakeshop, Beckmann’s Bakery, the Adorable French Bakery and Il Biscotto.

If your neighborhood market is the Felton or Scotts Valley market consider shifting to the Westside, Live Oak or Downtown SC markets until the seasonal markets reopen in May of 2021. All of our markets offer EBT/CalFresh and Market Match – $10 in EBT is worth $20 at the weekend markets and $30 at the Downtown Market while support from the City of Santa Cruz lasts.

In consideration of public safety, guided by state, county and city regulations, we continue to set up substantial infrastructure at the markets in response to COVID-19. Masks are required by all – No exceptions.

Seasonal Closures: the Westside Farmers’ Market will be closed on Dec. 26 W W W . T P G O N L I N E and D AtheI Live L Y Oak . C Farmers’ O M Market will be closed on Dec. 27. No other holiday closures 8 3 1 - 6 8 8 - 7are 5 scheduled.

49 n ••• For up-to-date info visit www.santacruz Current selection at the Santa Cruz farmers market. farmersmarket.org and Facebook or Instagram. s we settle into the month of December – umbrellas, boots and coats by the door – the markets settle into their winter grind and a sweet winter feel. When you’re missing the tomato, the peach and the padron pepper, let yourself fall in love with the kiwi, the apple, the chicory.

We are so fortunate to live between the North Coast, the Pajaro Valley and the Santa Cruz Mountains, where the soil is fertile and the weather is largely temperate.

Here the winter still offers a vast array of fruits and vegetables; every week something new and different and in its prime. The colder months bring sweeter carrots – beets and greens are sweeter and more vibrant too.

Many culinary herbs thrive in the winter, kept safe from pests by the coastal winds and cool air.

For those who slow down enough to walk the aisles of market and look closely at what the farms are selling there are unique winter treats: the passion fruit, cherimoya and sweet potato.

Alongside the farms is a growing and ever evolving artisanal foods and ready-togo meal section. The Downtown Santa Cruz, (1-5 p.m. Wednesday) Westside Santa Cruz (9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday) and Live Oak (9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday) markets have been knocking it out of the park with so many unique, hard to find cuisines that may only be represented at the markets or pop-up events around the County.

Below is a list of some of the long-loved standards as well as newcomers that make this section robust and exciting.

• Home Away – fresh pastas, sauces, olives, sausages, charcuterie, steaks, lard, pate and more.

• Full Steam Dumplings – gyoza, dumplings, pancakes, bun, sauces and ramen • Mattia Pizza – vegetarian and meat pizzas.

• Rogue Pyes – a huge variety of frozen vegetarian and meat pies.

• Nomad Momo – Tibetan dumplings, vegetarian and meat.

“Dependable Service, Affordable Quality”

SPECIALIZING IN

WINTER SPECIAL

Residential Repaints & If we paint your interior and/or Custom Homes exterior by January 31, 2021 Homeowners Associations we will buy the paint.

Property Managers

www.tpgonlinedaily.com Aptos Times / December 15th 2020 / 29

I

FEATURED COLUMNIST

$107 Million Awarded for Highway 1 and Soquel Drive n early December, the California Transportation Commission approved $107 million in grant funding for multimodal improvements to Highway 1 and Soquel Ave/Drive.

The funding was due to a grant application from the local Regional Transportation Commission and is a result of funding from Senate Bill 1: the Solutions for Congested Corridors Program and Local Partnership Competitive Program.

Our competitiveness for these programs was due in large part to our passage of Measure D, which provides a local match for these major transportation projects.

What challenges will the funding address?

The funding addresses issues that are particularly acute in the Mid and South County. First, Highway 1 congestion. As many of you know, congestion on the highway impacts everyone including those simply trying to get to work or back home, emergency vehicles, buses and delivery vehicles.

The second issue is cut-through traffic.

Because of congestion, many vehicles exit the highway and create safety issues (including for bike and pedestrians) on Soquel Drive and other side streets.

The third issue is bike and pedestrian safety. Our area is the fifth worst in the state for bike collisions — there is a need for improve bike and pedestrian safety facilities and the increased vehicle usage of Soquel and other side streets is a contributing factor to these increased collisions.

What will be funded?

Three new sets of auxiliary lanes on

By Zach Friend, Second District Supervisor

Highway 1 between Soquel Drive and State Park Drive — in one of the most congested corridors in the County. Additionally, it will allow for the first 5.75-miles of a 7.5mile hybrid bus-on-shoulder/auxiliary lane facility, where transit buses can travel in the auxiliary lane between intersections and on the shoulders at intersections to bypass traffic.

Two new Highway 1 bicycle/pedestrian overcrossings (Chanticleer Avenue and the long-awaited Mar Vista Drive project). A bridge replacement at Capitola Avenue, with new pedestrian and bike facilities is also part of the funding.

Lastly, a significant improvement on Soquel including 5 miles of buffered/ protected bicycle lanes, 46 green bike boxes for left turn movements, new sidewalks (to connect to existing sidewalk facilities) ADA improvements, 96 crosswalk upgrades, crosswalk warning devices at 10-mid block locations, and adaptive traffic signal control with transit prioritization at 23 intersections (to improve bus transit time).

What are the benefits of these projects?

As the CTC noted in their staff report, “the project will increase multimodal options, reduce vehicle miles traveled, reduce congestion, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.” It will increase safety and reduce transportation times on this congested corridor with an innovative package of projects to improve and integrate transit, active transportation, and highway/local roadway modes of travel.

Transit buses can bypass traffic at intersections by traveling on the new Highway 1 shoulder and can also travel more efficiently on Soquel with signal prioritization.

Safe routes to school will increase with new

30 / December 15th 2020 / Aptos Times www.tpgonlinedaily.com

buffered bike lanes and new sidewalks and crosswalk improvements on Soquel as well as two new bike and pedestrian overcrossings to ensure connection between neighborhoods and new safer bike and pedestrian routes. The highway improvements will mean less cut through traffic on side streets and Soquel improving neighborhood safety and congestion.

Overall, the projects will have equity and environmental benefits with a level of investment that hasn’t been seen in our county. Lower-income residents often are impacted the most by longer commutes and unreliable transit times and in many communities have higher rates of bike and pedestrian incidents.

These improvements will improve bike and pedestrian safety, reduce commute times and improve bus service — which, while this benefits the entire community — it has the greatest impact on those that often live the furthest from employment options due to affordable housing challenges and rely on major transit.

The grant funding was supported by Caltrans, the California Highway Patrol, METRO and the RTC. Supervisor Bruce McPherson (who chairs the RTC), joined Guy Preston (RTC executive director) and me to speak in support at the virtual

meeting of the California Transportation Commission. Assemblymember Mark Stone also sent in a letter of support to the Commission. The Commission voted unanimously to support the funding.

What are the next steps?

The RTC is partnering with Caltrans, METRO and the County for project delivery. The County will be the lead agency in implementing improvements on Soquel. The Highway 1 improvements will be constructed by Caltrans with the RTC implementing environmental clearance and final design. The RTC anticipates all components of this extensive project will be under construction by 2023 with some sooner.

For more information on the Watsonville-Santa Cruz Multimodal Corridor Program visit https://sccrtc.org/projects/ multi-modal/wsc-mc/ n ••• As always, I appreciate any feedback you may have on this (or any other County issue). I’m maintaining regular updates on social media at www.facebook.com/supervisorfriend and I’ve been hosting regular tele-townhalls with County and community leaders on most Tuesday nights from 6-7 pm. The call in information for the town halls is 454-2222 with the Meeting ID: 145384# — you are welcome to speak about any issue during the town halls or you can always call me at 454-2200.

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SCCAS Featured Pet

FEATURED COLUMNIST

Cut Christmas Trees Are Sustainable

C S

Ole Saint Nick!

crossword on 25 »

eason’s Kneadings! I’m Nick…“Saint” Nick to be exact; and while I may not have a big belly or a white beard, I would look puuurfect cuddling on your sofa this holiday season!

Some of you may recognize me from the critically acclaimed “SCCAS Holiday Serenade for the Shelter Animals.”

I would consider myself the star of the show, but you can see for yourself at https://fb.watch/2p-D5218r3/. As with all jolly saint Nick’s, they saved the best for last … so stick around!

But enough about my internet fame, let’s get down to biscuits!

I am a 2 year old male tabby with a beautiful coat and a warm attitude. As you can see in the video, I am quick to socialize and cuddle!

I am curious and confident in the sweetest way, and welcome pets and snuggles. A fun toy definitely peaks my interest, but so does a welcoming hand!

So whether you say Merry Cat-mas, Happy Meow-nukkah, Joyous Clawnza, or just Happy Holidays, Old Saint Nick would love to sit on your lap!

Adoptions are first come, first served! Please view available animals on our website and then visit the Shelter to turn in your application. All adoptions require proof of home ownership or landlord approval. Please have this information prepared. If an animal is in Foster Care, please bring in your adoption application and schedule an appointment to meet the animal. Call 831-454-7200 x0 during business hours or visit www.scanimalshelter.org for more information! n ••• Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter’s full-service, open-admission shelter: Santa Cruz Location (Public Entrance): 1001 Rodriguez St., Santa Cruz, 95062 Hours: Daily 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Watsonville Location: CURRENTLY CLOSED 580 Airport Blvd, Watsonville, CA 95076 SCCAS Main line: 831-454-7200. Animal Control: 831-454-7227. After-Hours Emergency: 831-471-1182 • After Hours: jillian.ganley@santacruzcounty.us

By Tony Tomeo

ut foliage is a common ingredient of ready-made mixed bouquets.

Bundles and individual stems of cut foliage are available with cut flowers from florists. Cut foliage is the primary component of most wreaths and garlands that are now so popular for Christmas décor. It is another horticultural commodity like cut flowers, bulbs or nursery stock. Cut foliage is like vegetables that no one eats.

Cut Christmas trees are extreme cut foliage. They just happen to be much larger than stems of cut foliage that become wreathes and garlands. They grow on plantations like other crops. Contrary to a rather popular belief, Christmas trees are a renewable resource. Furthermore, cut Christmas tree production is less detrimental to the environment than the production of live Christmas trees.

Time and space are the only advantages of live Christmas tree production. As they grow, they occupy less space for less time. Obviously, cut Christmas trees need more space and time to grow. However, they do not consume proportionate quantities of water and fertilizers. Nor do they necessitate the consumption of the various plastics and synthetic potting media that potted trees need.

Regardless of the best intentions, few live Christmas trees come home for Christmas after their first. They often get too shabby through warm and dry summer weather to bring back in. The small and inexpensive sort with attached decorations rarely survive potted for more than a few months. If live Christmas trees were less

Year in Review © Statepoint Media

Few Christmas trees are naturally compact.

perishable, their consumptive production could be more justified.

Whether they retire after a single Christmas or several, live Christmas trees must recover from previous shearing. Only dwarf Alberta spruce are naturally densely conical. Pruning other species to strict conical form is unnatural and disfiguring.

As they recover, live Christmas trees need space to grow. Many, such as Italian stone pine and Canary Island pine, get far too big for urban gardens.

Experienced arborists concur that many problematic trees were originally small and seemingly innocent live Christmas trees.

••• Canary Island Pine or spacious landscapes, Canary Island pine, Pinus canariensis, became more common than Monterey pine through the 1970s. New trees became less popular as old trees demonstrated how big they get! However, as seemingly docile live Christmas trees, they still often sneak into gardens that are not big enough for them. Their short blue juvenile needles suggest that they stay small.

They instead get quite tall. Old trees can get more than a hundred feet tall, even if their canopy gets Canary Island pine no wider than displays fluffy foliage. twenty feet. Their rich brown bark is distinctively and coarsely textured. Their thin and long needles are somewhat pendulous, with a rather fluffy appearance. They are in bundles of three.

Although individual trees are not very broad, their shade can get too dark for other plants.

Canary Island pine is a stately tree, but is not easy to accommodate. It produces copious foliar debris that can shade out lawn and ground cover, and accumulate on shrubbery. In unrefined areas, without other plants, foliar debris suppresses weeds. However, too much can be combustible. Such grand and resilient trees suit parks, and are ideal for freeway embankments and interchanges. n ••• Horticulturist Tony Tomeo can be contacted at tonytomeo.com

F

www.tpgonlinedaily.com Aptos Times / December 15th 2020 / 31

MERRY

christmas

May your heart be warm with happiness & your home be filled with joy through this holiday season and always. Wishing you a Merry Christmas!

AMBER MELENUDO REALTOR® 831.661.5591 ambermelenudo.com amber@davidlyng.com DRE 01921098

# 1 D A V I D LY N G R E A L E S TAT E A G E N T I N A P T O S